Thomas Earl Mayberry

Thomas Earl Mayberry, age 89, a long time resident of Rio Rancho, passed away August 3, 2019.  On August 14th of 2019 he would have celebrated his 90th birthday. His early demise was exacerbated by a fall last winter that complicated the use of his shoulder and revealed weaknesses with his heart that led to a protracted and sustained valiant battle and struggle toward recovery.  As it has now turned out, this simple slip on the ice, was the beginning of a downward spiral.  For the last several years Tom had exercised regularly and up until this fall he had excellent stamina that demonstrated his very profound disciplines but a recovery from this severe fall was not forthcoming.  During this battle Tom spoke of a severe fatigue that he found difficult to make progress with and this eventually led to this final honorable battle and his exit from this life.   

     He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Leonard and Lois DeLong Mayberry. Thomas was born in Craig Colorado.  Later his family had moved to Salt Lake City Utah. Early in his life Tom wanted to join the U.S. Navy so at age 14 (1943) with his prompting, Tom’s Father signed the necessary paperwork for him to join. Once in the service, he then spent 25 years in the Navy and during that time,  prior to retiring, he bore witness to 23 separate nuclear tests.  In addition he attended many naval schools, he served as a submariner and Radioman and ultimately served as a radio Instructor.  After his navel career he moved to Albuquerque, NM and became a ROTC Instructor at West Mesa High School and then taught for 17 years before his full retirement.   He has served the U.S. honorably with this naval career and was a good man, a good husband and a  good father.  He will be laid to rest  in the Arlington National Cemetery and this honor will serve as a small tribute to his servitude.  

His survivors include his wife Patricia of Rio Rancho, NM,  his children, and his sister and her husband, Sharon and Fred Murphy of Bennion Utah and he can boast of many lifetime friends.

Services for Tom will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, 87124.  Interment will be held in the future at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.