Paul H. Mansfield Jr.

Mansfield, Paul H. Jr.

Paul Houston Mansfield Jr. passed away peacefully in the comfort of his Corrales, NM home on October 14, 2018 at the age of 70, following a courageous battle with cancer and lung disease. At his bedside when he died were his wife, Janet Worne Mansfield; their dog, Maddie; and Paul’s son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Michelle Mansfield. 

Born the youngest of three children to Mildred “Mimi” Croft and Paul Houston “Pooch” Mansfield Sr. on September 3, 1948 in Lexington, Kentucky, Paul spent his formative years in the land of bluegrass, bourbon, and Wildcat basketball. He was an athletic, amiable young man who “knew how to make friends all across the spectrum” as he bounced around from school-to-school in search of the right fit and — of paramount importance to Pooch — the right football program. He was fascinated with music and, in addition to singing in the choir at Christ Church as a youth, he was also a lead singer in a garage-rock band, The Torques, revered as one of the best live bands in Lexington during the 60s. 

It was another of Paul’s passions — photography — that took him away from Kentucky and landed him aboard the USS Midway as a Navy photographer during the Vietnam War.  Upon leaving the service, Paul did a quick overnight in Albuquerque on his way back to Corpus Christi, Texas. When he woke to see the Sandia Mountains dusted with snow, his heart was immediately and irreversibly captured. He found his way back to Albuquerque as quickly as possible and enrolled at the University of New Mexico, where his affinity for music saw him take a leading role at KUNM, the progressive, student-run radio station he would ultimately manage during the late 70s and early 80s. His love of music also led to years of support for the New Mexico Jazz Workshop.  Paul, a gourmet cook, also became an ardent fan of New Mexico chile, and he was known for fiery hot dishes as well as his decadent Kentucky bourbon fruitcake.

In the mid-1980s, Paul discovered he had an affinity for computer programming at the formative stage of the computer programming industry.  He parlayed that skillset into a robust consulting career that spanned more than three decades. Paul developed a specialty in law office management software, and enjoyed consulting with many large and small law firms throughout New Mexico and Kentucky during his career.  

In 1981, Paul met Kim Griffith, who was then a student at UNM School of Law.  They married in 1983 following her law school graduation, and they celebrated the birth of their beloved son, Alex Griffith Mansfield, in December 1985.  Although they subsequently divorced, Paul and Kim were united in their love for Alex, whom they lovingly co-parented. They were deeply grateful to one another for the gift of Alex, and over the years shared warm feelings and celebration of Alex’s milestones.  

It was on a business foray back to Lexington in 2006 that Paul met Janet Worne. They connected immediately over their shared musical tastes and political leanings, though Paul was never ever to reconcile that Janet -- a professional photographer of 30+ years -- had the better eye. They were married in 2007 and moved to Corrales shortly thereafter, where they lived between stints of adventurous travel in a modest RV. While their travels took them all over the country, their favorite destination in recent years was back to Lexington to visit their grandchildren, Evelyn and Harrison.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Mansfield and Mildred Croft.  He is survived by his beloved wife Janet Worne and their dog, Maddie; his wing-man and adored son Alex Mansfield and daughter-in-law Michelle Mansfield; his loving sisters Carolyn Clarke (and her husband, Ernie), of St. Louis, MO, and Susan Bartlett of Rolla, MO; his dear step-daughters Hilary Jarvis (and her husband, Russell, and their children, Evelyn and Harrison), of Lexington, KY, and Heather Worne (and her wife, Erin Koch), of Lexington, KY; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Sarah Clarke (and her husband, Xander Berkeley, and their children Olwyn and Rowan) of Yarmouth, Maine, Rachel Bartlett of Durham, NC, Preston Clarke (and his wife, Claire McKay Clarke, and their children Becca and Ceci) of Chapel Hill, NC, Swope Clarke (and his wife Maxie and their children Preston, Emma, and Janey) of Winnetka, Illinois, and Cabot Bartlett (and his wife Alexia and son Hugh) of Herndon, Virginia.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Paul’s lifelong friends Mark Griffith, Rick Strode and John Shropshire, who came to Albuquerque to support us and Paul during Paul’s recent illness; to the dedicated and caring doctors and nurses at UNMH, who took such good care of Paul, in particular his long-time pulmonologist and trusted voice, Michelle Harkins; to the gentle and caring team from Compassus Hospice who helped to make Paul comfortable in his final days; and to the many neighbors and friends whose support and kindness helped throughout Paul’s illness.  Celebrations of Paul’s life will be held in Albuquerque on Friday, November 9, 2018 - 11:00 AM at Old Town Farm, 949 Montoya St. NW, Alb. NM. and in Lexington, KY times and places to be determined, In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to:

ACLU https://www.aclu.org/donate-aclu

Southern Poverty Law Center https://donate.splcenter.org/

Sierra Club https://www.sierraclub.org/ways-to-give

Daniels Family Funeral Services

4310 Sara Road SE

Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505-892-9920