Stephen Garvin Scales

Stephen Garvin Scales of Las Cruces passed away peacefully on Friday, July 16, 2021, one month shy of his 80th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margy Gillett Scales, their son, Stephen Jr. (Kerry) of Cortez, CO, daughters Melissa Giacomelli (Darrell) and Gretchen Lindsay (Gary) both of Las Cruces, seven grandchildren, and seven (soon to be eight) great-grandchildren.

Steve spent 25 years as an experimental technician at the University of New Mexico’s Civil Engineering Research Facility (now New Mexico Engineering Research Institute). He decided to change his career path in the late 1970s, returning to college and receiving his Bachelor’s degree in secondary education with emphasis on sports medicine in 1986 and his Master’s degree in sports administration in 1988.  He was hired by the Los Alamos School District as their very first athletic trainer setting up a program in the high school for the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of injured athletes, as well as teaching classes in sports medicine and physical education.

In 1997 Steve received an opportunity to join the staff of athletic trainers at the United States Air Force Academy.  Accepting, he became the trainer for men’s and women’s cross country teams and for men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, all together about 120 athletes. He found his real niche in the academy setting, never losing his amazement and respect for the cadet athletes and what they could accomplish. 

Steve was a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association (RMATA) and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).  For several years he served as coordinator for the vendors that supported the RMATA at its annual convention.  This was a responsibility he truly enjoyed and he made many friends.  He retired from active athletic training in December 2007.

Steve and Margy retired to southern New Mexico, building a home on Lake Valley Ranch near Hillsboro.  Steve jumped into community life serving as president of the Lake Valley Homeowners Association, and volunteering one afternoon a week at the Hillsboro community library.  He was able to utilize his experience as vendor coordinator with RMATA by taking on the job of coordinating vendors for the Hillsboro Community Center’s annual “Christmas in the Foothills.” 

In 2017 the couple found living so remotely to be difficult and moved into Las Cruces.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 23 at Baca’s Funeral Home in Las Cruces.  Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 24, at 10:00 AM, at St. Albert the Great Newman Center on the New Mexico State University campus.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88005.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com