Paul Joseph Nunley

Paul Joseph "Doc" Nunley, 58, died of kidney failure in Albuquerque, NM, on February 1, 2022, with his beloved wife, Alyce Jean "AJ" Richards, and his loving family at his side. Paul was born in Annapolis, Maryland, to Terry E. Nunley and Marguerite V. "Peggy" Ledwell Nunley. Paul was the sixth of seven children. After his father's Navy retirement, the family moved to Albuquerque, NM. Paul attended Apache Elementary, Kennedy Junior High, and Manzano High School, and graduated in 1981. Notably, Paul was one of the first "Yell Leaders" to support Manzano Monarch athletes alongside the cheerleading squad. At 6'3", with a sometimes rough exterior, it may have surprised many that a tiny ginger boy kitten named Rocket melted his heart. Paul loved animals and every dog in the neighborhood knew him. Paul was known as a jokester, had an extremely quick wit, and loved to pull pranks on his family and friends, who were always entertained by his stories and hilarious sense of humor.

Following high school, Paul enlisted in the Navy and served as a Hospital Corpsman. Paul had assignments at Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island, as well as Camp Pendleton, California. Paul completed the Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB) course and was proud to earn the Navy Enlisted Classification of HM-8404. Some of Paul's proudest memories were caring for "His Marines". He maintained strong friendships with many of his "Shipmates" as well. Paul worked in sales until his kidney disease progressed and his health declined. He is and will be dearly missed.

Paul attended a 30-year Manzano High School reunion and had the privilege to renew and make new "dear old" friends. One of these friends, Crystal Richards Hansen, introduced her "little sister", AJ Richards to Paul at one of the post reunion dinners a year or so after the reunion. Paul was arranging a fundraiser for one of his classmates and contacted AJ to see if she would like to participate. After a few phone calls the two hit things off and started to enjoy each other's company. Paul and AJ eventually built a house together on the Westside of Albuquerque and married in January of 2017.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Terry E. and Marguerite V. "Peggy" Nunley of Albuquerque, and grandparents Perry and Margaurette Nunley of Odessa, Texas. Paul is survived by his loving wife, AJ Richards, of Albuquerque, stepsons Sterling T. Laing (Matt Laing) of Gulfport, Florida and Ethan P. Litschewski, of Albuquerque, brothers Steve Nunley (Kim), of Albuquerque, Chuck Nunley, of Naples, Florida, sisters, Mary. K. Nunley, of Portsmouth, Virginia, Alice Nunley Bourgoine (Tim Bourgoine) of Albuquerque, Gretta Boyer (Mark Boyer) of Albuquerque, and Elizabeth Tingwall of Rio Rancho, NM, as well as many nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family members in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, California, North Carolina, New England and Florida.

The family extends sincere thanks to the Veterans Administration Medical Center Staff for providing exceptional outpatient and inpatient care. The family especially appreciated the ongoing care and transportation provided for his tri-weekly dialysis sessions.

Paul asked to have his caretaker, Kristine Guest, mentioned specifically because of her unending care and support. Paul's sisters, Mary Kay, Alice, Gretta and Elizabeth, would also like to thank Paul's wife AJ for the loving companionship, care, and kindness shown to Paul during his illness and times of need. Paul truly loved you and appreciated all you did for him. He told us that meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to him! A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 27th at 12:00pm at French-Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE. Interment to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund.org.