Walter LaFleur

Walter J. La Fleur, 91, took leave of this world, Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Fort Bayard Medical Center in Santa Clara, New Mexico. Born July 22, 1933 in Carrizozo, New Mexico to Walter J. La Fleur Jr, and Mariam Evelyn Grumbles La Fleur. His father worked for the New Mexico Highway Department so they lived all over the state until WWII when his father joined the Corps of Engineers in building the Deming Army Air Field. He attended Deming High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Vera Jean Scott. They both attended New Mexico State University and were married and had their first son, Walter J. La Fleur IV in Las Cruces in 1956. Walter received a BS with High Honors in Physics and an MS in Electrical Engineering. He worked four years for the NMSU Physical Science Lab as a physicist on studies in electronic warfare.

He was recruited by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1960 to work at the Bermuda Tracking Station, where he became the Station Director. His second son, Ian was born in Bermuda. Walter later moved to Goddard Space Flight Center with responsibility for the management of NASA’s worldwide space tracking and communication networks and operation of the Data Tracking Relay Satellites. In preparation for the last Apollo flights, he traveled to tracking stations around the world to confirm “mission readiness”. In recognition of his efforts, he received numerous awards including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and an Outstanding Leadership Medal. He married Mary Johenning in 1972 and they lived in Laurel, MD until his retirement in 1993.

In 1984, Walter joined Voice of America (VOA) in charge of operation of the VOA worldwide radio network. At the time of his retirement in 1993 he was Director of Engineering for the United States Information Agency with responsibility for engineering and operation of the Voice of America network, the Worldnet Television network, and the Spacenet communications network. During this time, he received the USIA Distinguished Honor Medal and was presented the Distinguished Executive Medal by President George H. W. Bush at a White House Ceremony in 1991.

Walter chose Silver City for his retirement largely because of his love of the Gila National Forest and Wilderness Area where he spent many summers as a youth. Soon after moving to Silver City, Walter’s wife Mary died unexpectedly. After his retirement from the federal government, he served two years as a Chairman for of the Board for Marconi Communications, Inc. (a U.S. branch of the original British Marconi Companies), with emphasis on High Definition Television and Intelligent Transportation Systems. Among other affiliations, he was a fellow of the Radio Club of America, a senior member of the National Association of Radio and Television Engineers, and a life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

In 1996, he married Rebecca M. Renfro, also a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Gila Region. In addition he previously served on the Board of the Mimbres Region Arts Council, United Way of Grant County and Gila Amateur Radio Society. He hiked for thirty years with the Thursday Hiking Group.

Walter was predeceased by his parents, aunts and uncles, wives and youngest son, Ian.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Rebecca (Renfro) La Fleur and oldest son, Walter J. La Fleur IV (Cuatro) and his wife Jeanne of Fort Pierce, FL and his only grandson, Walter J. La Fleur V of Colorado Springs, CO He is also survived by his only sibling, Sadie Mann, her husband Thomas T. Mann and their two daughters, Michelle (Tony) Knoerzer of Florissant, CO and Port St. Joe, FL and Alisa (Jerry) Scott and their son Lincoln of Seattle, WA.

Baca’s Funeral Chapels handled cremation and his ashes will be scattered in his beloved Gila and on his property that has been home for the past 31 years. No official services are planned. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made in Walter’s memory to Border Partners, PO Box 1435, Deming, NM 88031 or at https://borderpartners.org.

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