It is with great sadness we announce the passing of 76 year old Robert Ray Wells on June 2, 2024. He was born May 9, 1948 in Las Cruces to Mima and Robert Wells.

Robert lived his entire life in Las Cruces. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1966. Upon graduation he joined the US Navy and served on the USS Bennington and USS Kitty Hawk. During his Naval service he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. After his military service he returned to Las Cruces and was employed at Memorial Medical Center for 7 years as a Special Systems Technician. After his employment at the hospital, he then was employed at White Sands Missile Range as an Electronics/Engineering Technician until his retirement in 2005. Robert was a joyful soul. He was loving, caring, and always ready to help others. He loved to talk and always had a story to tell. He especially loved recounting the landing of the Space Shuttle Columbia at White Sands Space Harbor and has pictures of the event in his office which he loved to share with everyone. His enthusiasm and laughter were contagious. He will be missed.

Those left to mourn him include his beloved wife of 52 years Nellie Lopez Wells, sisters Rosalee "Jody" Wells and Sharon Wright, brothers-in-law Joe Lopez and Jose S. Lopez (Cruz), numerous beloved nieces and nephews and his beloved olde english bulldog Sadie.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mima and Robert Wells, grandparents Lucious and Lela Cummings and Robert and Bessie Wells, aunt Lil McKinney, uncles Martin Cummings, Raymond Wells (Joyce), and Irvin Wells (Mary), brothers-in-law Raymond, Monce, Willie, Johnny, Walter and Jesse Lopez and sisters-in-law Adelaida Aragon and Rebecca Martinez.

A prayer vigil will be held on Thursday June 27, 2024 at Our Lady of Purification Catholic Church, 5525 Cristo Rey Street. Visitations will begin at 10:00 A.M. Recitation of the rosary is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. and the Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 A.M. Interment and Rite of Committal will conclude at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue.

Serving as casket bearers include Sergio Trujillo, Walter Lopez Jr, Javier B Lopez, Isaiah Lopez, Juan Lopez and Ramon Lopez. Honorary casket bearers are Tudy Barela and Kevin Lucero

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com