Ramon Huerta

Age 89, died in Albuquerque on October 28, 2013. He was born in 1924 in Kansas City, Kansas. He grew up in East San Jose, Albuquerque. Ramon graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1943. He was a veteran of WWII where he served from 1943-1946 as a radar technician in the US 29th Army Air Corps in Burma. Ramon received a BA in 1950 and an MA with Honors in 1956 from UNM. He taught Spanish at Highland High School from 1955-85 and for UNM Peace Corps. In 2002, UNM honored him with the distinguished Zia Award. During his lifetime he took pride in serving the public and promoting education. He was also active with the Lions Club and Toastmasters. He served as president of the ACTA of New Mexico Classroom Teachers Association. Later he was on the Executive Committee of the National Education Association in Washington, DC. He was also a delegate to the World Conference of Teachers in Nairobi, Kenya in 1973. Ramon took part in local politics. He served as both Precinct and Ward Chairman. He was in the NM State House of Representatives from 1988-1994. He was on numerous committees including the House Education Committee, and was Vice-Chair of the Consumers and Public Affairs Committee. His Healthy Learner's Bill, which gave all children equal access to a school nurses, was one of his gratifying accomplishments. Ramon loved photography and astronomy. He and Evelyn traveled much of the world, often going to see solar eclipses, which took them to diverse places such as Siberia and Australia. They also visited many other countries. After retiring, he worked for "El Hispano" newspaper as a translator. Ramon is survived by Evelyn, his wife of fifty-seven years; daughters, Lisa Storey and husband, Ron, and Shila Marek; grandchildren, Tom Marek Jr., Grant Marek and wife, Shelly, John Marek, Brett Nichols and wife, Natasha, Matthew Storey, Kyle Storey, Jared Storey and wife, Mary; grand grandchildren, Natalya Hill, Irie and Leiren Nichols, a brother, David and his wife, Maude-France; one niece and several nephews also survive him. Cremation has been handled by FRENCH - Lomas. At the family's request there will be no memorial service, knowing that friends and associates will honor Ramon in their own way. A private ceremony will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the charity of your choice.