Jimmie Russell Tafoya, 55, died Dec. 1, 2001, at his home south of Gothenburg.

He was born April 15, 1946, at Wichita, Kan., to Jesse M. and Pearl Hinch Tafoya. He grew up in Wichita and Headrick, Okla. On June 11, 1966, he married Shirley Ann Koch at Wichita and they moved to Headrick. In 1970, they moved to Dalhart, Texas. In 1980, they moved to Farnam and in May 1991 they moved south of Gothenburg.

Mr. Tafoya received his certified nursing assistant certificate this year and had worked for Gothenburg Memorial Hospital Long Term since February. He enjoyed fishing and cooking. He attended the American Lutheran Church.

Survivors are his wife; three daughters, Treena (Mike) Welch of La Center, Wash., Regina (Ron Jr.) Potter of Meadow Grove and Lisa Tafoya of Vancouver, Wash.; three sons, Russell of North Platte, Tracy of Liberty, Mo., and David of Gothenburg; two sisters, Joyce (Gene) Mantzke of Joshua, Texas, and June (Warden) Bryan of Neodesha, Kan.; three brothers, Ervin (Julia) Tafoya of Hobbs, N.M., Bruce (Karen) Tafoya of Clearwater, Kan., and Gene (Helen) Tafoya of Altus, Okla.; and nine grandchildren, Derek and Lucas Welch, Markus, Danielle and Adam Potter and Samantha, Nicholas, Jason and Kara Tafoya.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg with the Rev. Steve Berke officiating. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.

The North Platte Telegraph, December 4, 2001