(March 9, 1948 – June 1, 2013)

Barbara Jean LaRue, 65, of Las Cruces, beloved daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, passed peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 1, 2013. She was born March 9, 1948, in Ohio, to Don and Frieda Bunce. She married Paul LaRue on April 15, 1967, and he survives. Also surviving are her father Don [auth] (Rosalie) Bunce of Roswell; son Jeff (Leslie) LaRue and three granddaughters, Lauren, Ainsley, and Kylie. Barbara’s mother Frieda Bunce and one granddaughter Chloe preceded her in death. Barbara graduated from Roswell High School and attended Southwest Business College. Barbara was a long-time resident of Las Cruces where she worked for Jacobs Technology Inc. at the Jonson Space Center as a financial analyst. Prior to coming to the area, Barbara worked as an office manager for Herring Distributing. Barbara volunteered for the Boy Scouts for many years and was the recipient of the highest honor given to a volunteer, the Silver Beaver, in 1984. She also loved working with NASA and in 2007 was selected from several nominees to receive the NTEC Star Award, given to her at a ceremony held in Florida. Barbara was made an honorary member of the Las Cruces/Mesilla Valley Rotary Club. She was an avid reader and technology enthusiast. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.