Don L. Marketto

DON LAWRENCE MARKETTO, JR., M.D., 75, of Las Cruces, NM, died in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 due to complications of malignant melanoma. Dr. Marketto was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1932 to Clemeth and Don Lawrence Marketto, Sr. He grew up in Greencastle, Indiana, where he was the drum major of the marching band and Valedictorian of Greencastle High School. In 1954, Dr. Marketto graduated from DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was very actively involved in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was on the college basketball, baseball, and golf teams. In basketball, he averaged 28-30 points per game and in golf he had a handicap of 4. In 1958, Dr. Marketto graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, with an M.D. degree. He completed his internship at UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor General Hospital, Torrence, California. During internship, he met the love of his life, Nigel, who was a senior nursing student at St. Vincent's College of Nursing in Los Angeles, California. He courted her for a year and a day, bringing her valentines and violets. They married on August 29, 1959 at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Los Angeles. They moved to Houston, Texas, where he completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor University School of Medicine, Hermann Hospital. During his residency, their first child, Leslie Ann, was born. In 1962, Dr. Marketto and his family moved to White Sands Missile Range, where he was a Captain in the United States Army, serving as an obstetrician and gynecologist. During this time, their second child was born, Don Lawrence, III. Falling in love with the beauty of the southwest and small town hospitality of the people in the nearby town of Las Cruces, they chose to make that their permanent home. While in Las Cruces, he and Nigel had 2 more children, Anna Nigel and Nicholas Robert. Dr. Marketto practiced medicine in Las Cruces for 31 years, from 1964 until he retired in July 1995. He was a Diplomate of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons; a member of the American Fertility Society, American Laparoscopy Association, Christian Medical Association, American Medical Association; and past president of both the Dona Ana County Medical Society and the OB/GYN Department at Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Marketto's office door was always open and he never refused treatment to any patient. He even accepted payment in the form of onions, chile, and chickens from patients who could not afford to pay. He was devoted to and loved his patients, who loved him in return. He was kind to everyone he met and made a point to remember each of their names. He loved to eat and enjoyed all desserts, including burnt peanuts, Snickers, pecan pie, fresh coconut cake, and anything he could find at the Nurses' station. He loved Mexican food and was the inspiration for the Red Meat "Enchilada Style" Burrito at La Posta restaurant in Mesilla, NM, when Katie Griggs was the owner. He would often be seen walking around town wearing his red hat and heard whistling wherever he would go. He also enjoyed going to the NMSU Aggie football and basketball games and was an active member of the Aggie Athletic Scholarship Association. His faith was an important part of his life and he often prayed with his patients. He and Nigel were communion ministers at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral for many years. In 1990, they joined the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Southwestern Lieutenancy USA, and were elevated to the rank of Knight and Lady of the Grand Cross. They enjoyed traveling together to Israel, Palestine, Rome, Venice, China, and the Holy Shrines of Europe, including Oberammergau, Medjugorje, Lourdes, Fatima, and Assisi. Dr. Marketto enjoyed spending time each summer at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, where he served as a board member. He loved sharing time with his family "on the patio" of Rainbow's End cabin. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He always taught his children to love God, believe in themselves, and show love and compassion to others. He also stressed the value of hard work and the importance of education. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and clever wit, as well as his generosity and love of family. He loved life and loved people and could always find something good in everyone and everything. He is greatly missed and will be forever in our hearts. Dr. Marketto was preceded in death by his father, Don Lawrence Marketto, Sr.; his mother, Clemeth Marketto; and his sister, Regina Fulmer. He is survived by Nigel, his wife of 48 years; his 4 children, Leslie Ann Marketto Bowen and her husband Larry, Don L. Marketto, III, DO and his wife Dawn, Anna Nigel Marketto and Nicholas Robert Marketto; and his 6 grandchildren, Dominic Lawrence Marketto, IV, Drew Ellis Marketto, Devin Carter Marketto, Brandon Michael Bowen, Katelyn Hope Bowen, and Evan Christian Bowen. A Rosary will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 30, 2007 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral with Msgr. Bob Getz presididng. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral with the Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez, CSB officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be his sons, Don and Nicholas; his son-in-law, Larry Eugene Bowen; and his grandchildren, Dominic, Drew, and Brandon. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Robert Joseph Sheble, Jr.; Matthew Alden Sheble; Jon LaVertu; John Phillips, MD; Robert McComas, MD; Vittal Pai, MD; Marland Blevins; and Gilbert Perez. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the DON L. MARKETTO, JR., M.D. FUND with Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005, (575) 523-4700 and/or Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission, Inc., PO Box 386, Las Cruces, NM 88004-0386, (575) 523-7727. PDF Printable Version