Cover photo for AJ Bonham's Obituary
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1937 AJ 2022

AJ Bonham

May 24, 1937 — September 26, 2022

Albuquerque

AJ (Alba Jay) Bonham passed from this life to be with his Heavenly Father on September 26, 2022, after a brief and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He was born in Erick, Oklahoma, on May 24, 1937, to Albert Clayton Bonham and Ava (Avil) Marie Brimm Vanover, the youngest of six children. He attended school in Delhi, OK, until he joined the US Navy in 1955. While in the Navy, he served aboard the USS Forrestal. After his stint in the Navy, he returned to Delhi and attended Sayre Junior College, before transferring to Oklahoma State University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1970.

His work brought him to Albuquerque in 1971. He went to work for Incre-Data, then for EG&G (WASC, SP) until his retirement in 1998. He was heavily involved in Electro Magnetic Pulse testing of military aircraft along with a crew that tested for EMP around the world. After retirement from EG&G, he worked part time for Mission Research Corporation doing consulting work at NM Tech in Socorro and at Los Alamos National Laboratories.

He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. After retirement, he developed a love for riding his bicycle and would bicycle on old US 66 most days.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; sister Jean (Lowell) Ambrose; sister-in-law Marty Lewis; nephews Ron Bonham (Patti), Bruce Bonham (Liz), Eddie Guy, Monte Connally, Jonnell Lewis; nieces Donna Campbell (Steve), Barbara Moore (Leon), Charlotte Oates (James), Diana Savage, Darla Bonham, Peggie Martin (Gene), Vickie Bonham, Susan Mitchell; goddaughters Elizabeth Spikes, Donita Correra and Cindy Ordonez Dozal, and his best buddy, Sparky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan Bonham (Darlene), Lee Bonham (Lawon), Bob Bonham (Frances), sister Ruby Guy (Leroy), nephews, Martin C. Lewis, Johnny Guy, Mike Bonham and niece Juanita Carolina Lewis, and his beloved Rottweilers.

Special thanks to the many friends and family who helped Pat care for AJ. The love, support, and prayers offered have been so greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in AJ's memory to the International Myeloma Foundation (https://secure.myeloma.org/ajbonham). The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.

A celebration of AJ's life and reception will be held on Saturday, Oct 8 @ 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Daniel's Family Funeral Services - Carlisle Chapel on 3113 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque NM 87110.

A second memorial service and reception will be held in Texas Star, Euless, TX on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 am.

Entombment of cremains will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 11:00 am.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of AJ Bonham, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation - Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 8, 2022

10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain time)

Daniels Family Funeral Services - Carlisle Chapel

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial - Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 8, 2022

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)

Daniels Family Funeral Services - Carlisle Chapel

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Livestream

Click to watch

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2nd Memorial - Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 22, 2022

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)

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