Frank R. Davila

Frank R. Davila, 79, of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away Sunday May 11, 2014 at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born June 4, 1934 in Los Lunas, New Mexico to Frank N. Davila and Josephine Davila. Frank was a proud member of the United States Navy and served honorably during the Korean War. Once he completed his tour of duty he enrolled at New Mexico State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education. After graduation he was reunited with his string of pearls and married Libby Baca. They relocated to the Pojoaque Valley where he worked for several years as a teacher in the Pojoaque School District. In 1965 he moved his family to Las Cruces, NM and became a training instructor for NASA at White Sands Test Facility until 1970. As his family began to grow he transitioned and became the Executive Director for Project Bravo. While at Project Bravo, Frank worked with high risk youth to prevent substance abuse and taught skills for success. In 1978, he was hired as an Executive Director of Service Employment and Redevelopment, Jobs for Progress Inc. During his tenure he worked to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals. While working for SER, Governor Carruthers personally appointed Frank to serve as County Commissioner in 1988. After retiring from SER, he chose to spend more time with his family and started "Romper Room" with his beloved wife, Libby, to care for their grandchildren. Once his "Romper Room" students graduated and were off to Public School, he began his next chapter as a Bus Driver for Las Cruces Public Schools. After many years of adventurously driving children, grandchildren, and school children he retired to accommodate his wife's Hobby Lobby requests. Frank R. Davila was actively involved in his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1226 and served as Grand Knight from 1981-1982. Frank and Libby were long term parishioners of St. Albert the Great Newman Center. Frank was an avid sports fan; he especially loved to attend the games and activities that his grandchildren participated in. When he wasn't cheering on his grandkids he was rooting for the NMSU Aggies. He could never walk away from a good game on the TV or the radio. His theme for each game was, "it isn't over until the fat lady sings," and would never leave a game early. Every Sunday he attended church and made sure to be home in time to cheer for his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the last five years, no matter where Frank traveled you would find him with his partner in crime, his only son, his fury four-legged best friend, Taz. He was preceded in death by his wife Libby B. Davila, his parents Frank N. and Josephine Davila, brother Charles F. Davila, sister Mary A. Smith, and one grandson John Michael Ferrera. He is survived by five daughters, Nancy Syner (Scott) of Las Cruces, NM; Janet Fererra (Denny) of Louisville, Colorado; Martha Barnes (Jeff) of Virgina Beach, VA; Carla Rosales (Nick) of Las Cruces, NM; Patricia Lucero (Jesse) of Estancia, NM; and a special daughter, Jane Scheibelhut (John) of Denton, TX. He is also survived by his siblings Delia S. Garde of Los Lunas, NM; Edward N. Davila of Albuquerque, NM; and sister-in-law Janko Davila of San Francisco, CA. Also surviving are grandchildren, Stephanie Syner, Caitlin Syner, Matthew Syner, Robert Ferrera (Jodie), Joe Ferrera (Raelynn), Cassie Ferrera, Ryan Barnes, Travis Barnes, Ashley Rosales (Greg), Nikki Rosales, Raeanna Rosales, Dominique Rosales, Jesse Lucero, and Andrew Lucero. Great grandchildren, Jared Ferrera, Ben Ferrera, Zachary Ferrera, Darius Richards, Cael Ferrera, and Charley Ferrera. Visitation will be held from 6:00- 7:00 on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at St. Albert the Great Newman Center, 2615 S. Solano with the Prayer Vigil to follow at 7pm. The Funeral liturgy will be held at 10 am on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the St. Albert the Great Newman Center Officiating will be Father Ray Flores and Msgr. John Anderson. Military Honors will immediately follow. Cremation will take place following the service with a private inurnment at a later date. Serving as pallbearers, Matthew Syner, Robert Ferrera, Ryan Barnes, Travis Barnes, Nikki Rosales, and Andrew Lucero. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank's memory may be made to Canine Reading with the Lions Club Program, 3551 Bataan Memorial West Las Cruces, NM 88012 or Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 Montana Ave Las Cruces, NM 88005. PDF Printable Version