Obituaries

Richard (Rick) Barry Aikey, Aug. 2

Edgar Foster Daniels, 88, Santa Fe, July 31

John Richard Hall, 66, Santa Fe, Aug. 1

Connie Jimenez, July 28

Dolores Patricia Lemon, 78, July 26

EDGAR FOSTER DANIELS

Edgar Foster Daniels died of natural causes on July 31, 2020 at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Edgar was 88 years old. Edgar was the son of Evelina and Josephus Daniels, Jr. and the grandson of Addie and Josephus Daniels. Edgar was born in Raleigh, North Carolina where his grandfather was owner and publisher of the News and Observer Publishing Company, which published the Raleigh News and Observer.

Early in life, Edgar determined that the newspaper business was not for him. From the age of six, Edgar loved acting. After attending the University of North Carolina, where he began studying theater, he attended Columbia University and studied acting under Milton Smith, former director of Columbia’s School of Dramatic Arts.

Edgar graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Drama and Theater Arts. He appeared on Broadway, in films, and on television. After three decades in California working on stage, screen, and television, including roles on Bonanza, The Young and the Restless, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Edgar retired from acting in 1983 and relocated to Santa Fe. Edgar became familiar with Santa Fe because of his love of opera and his longtime friendship with John Crosby, the founder of The Santa Fe Opera. Edgar also had a home in Chapel Hill for many years before moving to Santa Fe full-time.

When the family publishing company was sold to The McClatchy Company in 1995, Edgar turned his full-time attention to philanthropy, and he established The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation. Edgar’s and his Foundation’s focus was to provide support to American and international opera companies. In support of the Foundation’s activities, Edgar served on the Board of Directors of The Metropolitan Opera, The San Francisco Opera, The Santa Fe Opera, and The Los Angeles Opera and was a lifetime board member of Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Edgar, individually, and his Foundation underwrote productions at The Santa Fe Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Dallas Opera, and The San Francisco Opera, and they also provided support to the Salzburg Festival, the Bayreuth Festival, The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Glyndebourne Festival.

In 2015, Charles MacKay nominated Edgar for a position of an honorary director of The Santa Fe Opera Board and for the 2015 Governor’s Award for the Arts. Governor Susana Martinez recognized Edgar for his philanthropy in 2015 with the award. Edgar also served as an honorary director of the Santa Fe Opera until his death.

Edgar’s support of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival allowed the company to double the number of performances over the last decade by adding noon concerts. Through the support of Edgar and his Foundation, the Santa Fe Chamber music offered mid-day performances all summer long. They also supported a morning program at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston. Both programs became quite popular mainstays for each organization. Additionally, Edgar’s foundation provided funding to Performance Santa Fe, St. Vincent’s Hospital Foundation, and the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. Edgar was also passionate about the New Mexico’s visual arts and was an avid art collector.

The performing arts will miss Edgar and his generous support, but Edgar’s passion for opera will live on through the Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation.

Edgar is survived by his three first cousins: Frank Daniels, Jr., Patsy Daniels, and Dr. Lucy Daniels. He will be laid to rest in the family plot in the historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.

RICHARD (RICK) BARRY AIKEY 11/11/1950 - 8/2/2020

Rick Aikey of Madrid, NM passed away peacefully on August 2, 2020 in Glenwood Springs, CO after an extensive battle with cancer.

Rick grew up in Akron, OH. He moved to New Mexico where he raised his sons. Rick had a passion for the outdoors which he turned into a career and began logging. Some of Rick’s favorite hobbies were throwing darts and pitching horseshoes. These passions he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, James Aikey and beloved mother, Mary M Coyle. Rick was survived by his cherished dog, Mindy; his children, Quinn Duncan (Rose), Luke Aikey, and Zack Aikey (Kaelynn); his siblings, Jim Aikey (Barbara), Cheri Lusby (Ron), Miriam Ray (Carter), Michele Metcalf; his grandchildren, William Mathews, Andrew Ortiz, Jordon Aikey, Zander Duncan, and Max Aikey; as well as many other family and friends.

A celebration of life will be scheduled after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

EDGAR FOSTER DANIELS IN MEMORY OF A DEAR FRIEND AND CHAMPION OF MUSIC

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival mourns the loss of our dear friend and longtime Trustee, Edgar Foster Daniels who passed away on July 31.

Edgar began sponsoring the Festival’s popular Music at Noon concerts in 2006 with the hope that they would garner a diverse audience, attracting those who work downtown as well as those who already appreciated chamber music. Thanks to his generous support, the series expanded from six to ten concerts in 2010. He served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 through 2019 and received the Festival’s Gifford Phillips Award in 2009. He also received the 2015 New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

In addition to chamber music, Edgar had an intensive love of vocal music for which he gave now legendary support to American and international opera companies through the Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation. He served on the boards of the Santa Fe, Metropolitan, San Francisco, and Los Angeles operas and was a lifetime board member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

We will miss his deep love, knowledge, and support of great music as well as his wit and gracious hosting of many memorable gatherings.

Edgar was a true force in the culture and vitality of Santa Fe, and we are honored to have been part of his extraordinary life.

Michael Everett, President Marc Neikrug, Artistic Director Steven Ovitsky, Executive Director

EDGAR FOSTER DANIELS

It is with great sadness that the Santa Fe Opera mourns the passing of Honorary Board member Edgar Foster Daniels on Friday, July 31. A true renaissance man, Mr. Daniels was an admired philanthropist and passionate supporter of the arts, especially opera. Having performed Frosch’s spoken soliloquy in Santa Fe Opera’s 1982 production of Die Fledermaus, he was an accomplished actor who appeared on Broadway and on television. His Santa Fe home was filled with art, books, and memorabilia from his rich life. A friend of Santa Fe Opera founder John Crosby since young adulthood, he served faithfully as a member of the Board and its President. Mr. Daniels underwrote a string of productions in Santa Fe including Ariadne auf Naxos in 1999, and two years later, L’amour de loin. His name is recognized at the Metropolitan Opera, the Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as the Salzburg and Bayreuth festivals for the productions he supported.

The Santa Fe Opera extends its deepest and most profound sympathies to all who knew and cared for him. Mr. Daniels’ wit, intelligence, curiosity, and belief in the power of music are his legacy, which will not be forgotten.

Susan F. Morris, Chairman Susan G. Marineau, President David Henry Jacobs, President-Elect Robert K. Meya, General Director

CONNIE JIMENEZ NOVEMBER 16, 1937 - JULY 28, 2020

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. Connie was called home by our Lord Jesus Christ, on July 28th.She was a lifetime resident of Santa Fe.

She is survived by siblings, Erlene Butts, Jimmy Chaves; son, Robert Jimenez; daughters-in-law, Natalie Jimenez, Angela Anaya; grandchildren, Randi Jimenez, Rebecca Jimenez, Renee Jimenez, Leah Jimenez; and great-grandchild, Aribella Jimenez. "Serving families for over 50 years" Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600

Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com

JOHN RICHARD HALL

JOHN RICHARD HALL, 66, a resident of Santa Fe, finished his race and went home to meet his Savior on August 1, 2020.

Public visitation will begin Friday, August 7, 2020 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a memorial service to follow at 6:00 p.m. at Victory Faith Church in Española. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. also at Victory Faith Church.

The family of John Richard Hall has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley 505-747-7477 - www.devargasfuneral.com

DOLORES PATRICIA LEMON

Dolores Patricia Lemon, age 78, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, July 26, 2020. She was born March 1, 1942 to Patrick and Marcia Byres in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was raised in Santa Fe with her three surviving brothers; Tommy Byres, Donald Byres, and Patrick Byres.

Her maternal grandparents were Filberto and Maria Carrillo (Baca), and her paternal grandparents were Larney and Hazel Casey (Sines).

Dolores attended Loretto Academy for 12 years graduating in 1960. She spent her retired years in Denver expressing her artistic talent through her beautiful paintings and gorgeous garden. Dolores also had a deep interest in genealogy. She dedicated countless hours researching her family’s history and origin.

Dolores is survived by three daughters; Catherine Lemon, Marsha Halax (Billy), and Victoria Lammers (Michael); five grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Michael Halax, Cole Halax, Jamie Smith, and Zoë Halax; two great-grandchildren, Morgan Estes and Jacob Moss.

Services will be held August 6, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 W Chatfield Ave, Littleton, CO.