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John Mares Obituary
John Franklyn Mares was born on March 26, 1956, with great fanfare to John C. Mares and Shirley C. Mares. He was the youngest of four. John developed a strong, humorous, and likeable personality with a deep sense of ethics. He was a supportive champion to all who knew him. John lived his life loving and loved by those around him, and maintained family as his top priority. His education and career were quite varied, graduating from Dartmouth with a BA in Geology, followed by an MA in Latin American studies, an MBA in Finance, and finally a JD, all from UNM. John was largely a practicing attorney, but his claim to fame was that he invented the 4th dimension roller coaster and ultimately sold the six patents and company to S&S-Sansei. John's roller coasters have been built around the world. In 2000, John moved with his family to Ithaca, NY, where his personality and overall size prompted friends to affectionately know him as "Big John." He returned to Albuquerque in 2019 to serve New Mexicans at the Department of Information Technology, and ended his career as Vice-President for BioProperty Strategy Group.
John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late 2020 and put up a great, positive fight, until November 20 when he passed at home, surrounded by family and friends. He had a great heart, a deep soul, and a surprising mind. John is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Ann; his daughter, Rachel and significant other, Matt; son Peter and wife Irene; sisters Jeanne and Laurie (and husband Gary); and brother James (and wife De). A 30-minute viewing will be held at Direct Funeral Services on December 1 at 4:00pm. A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church on December 6 at 10:00 and 10:30am, respectively.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Mares
4 Entries
Kim Elliott-Snoeberger
June 13, 2023
Condolences to the Mares Family from the Eldorado High School Class of 1974 Alumni; RIP John, you will always be in our hearts and memories forever.
Jennie Kugel '80
July 18, 2022
John Mares is why I applied to, and went, to Dartmouth. He came to Eldorado to talk to potential applicants. I thought I was done with my college applications, but after talking with him, I hurriedly did one for Dartmouth. I have always remembered one of his selling points. He said "You'll probably spend most of your life in a city, so experience a small town in the mountains for college", or words to that effect.
My family was preparing to move from New Mexico to Kansas, so what he said made a lot of sense to me. I could still be surrounded by mountains. Imagine my surprise at the small green hills of Hanover.
I might have looked him up when I got there, just to say thanks. I don't remember.
It is not an exaggeration to say that one person, whom I met once (possibly twice), changed my life. Thank you, John Mares.
Sergio Pareja, Dean of UNM School of Law
December 10, 2021
On behalf of everyone at UNM School of Law, our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mares. Our thoughts are with you.
Richard (Dick) Cahoon
December 1, 2021
John was a great friend and business partner. He once told me that I wouldn't find another person like him - and he was right. He was a unique person. Kind, smart, creative, humorous. I will miss him greatly. My life has been immeasurably made richer and more enjoyable by having known John. Godspeed, John. Your friend and partner, Dick
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