Leslie Bryan Maupin

Leslie Maupin, 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Belen, NM on February 21, 2025. He was born to Lucy Mae Pope and Floyd Maupin near Clovis, NM just before the onset of the Great Depression. When Leslie was 13 his family moved to Belen where Floyd was transferred by the Santa Fe Railroad. Leslie was the second youngest of Lucy and Floyd's children. He is predeceased by his siblings Ruth, David, Ernestine, Floyd (Junior), and Jean.

He often reminisced about his childhood, how he started the day tagging along while his father did morning chores before heading to work, usually getting fresh milk from the udder while his father milked the cow. He spent most days playing with his friends and exploring the rural countryside. He emphasized the sense of community he felt there and how neighbors helped each other get through those lean times.

After moving to Belen Leslie continued his outdoor exploits, spending days and some nights hiking along the river and nearby hills and mountains. He and friends had camping adventures, sometimes chilling watermelons they had "acquired" from local farms by floating them down the river to where they were waiting at their campsite, catching and cooking fish. As he grew, his interest in mechanics grew and he dabbled with engines and worked at a local car repair business. He eventually bought his own motorcycle and was seen regularly riding around Belen, once riding up the stairs of the Becker Dalies department store right up to the front door. There is still some dispute over whether that was intentional or an accident, but he ended up with a broken arm just the same. He loved airplanes and began taking flying lessons at age 16.

Acting on his patriotism and interest in aviation and mechanics, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1945, where he served in the Philippines as a mechanic. Besides his work duties, he learned to drive a golf ball (there were no putting greens, he said), appreciate papayas, and just generally have a good time.

When Leslie returned to Belen after his service he reestablished friendships, worked at different jobs in construction and auto mechanics, resumed work on his private pilot's license, and became somewhat well-known locally for being able to fix things and dance a mean two-step. In 1949 he married Betty Capps, who passed away in 2014 after nearly 65 years of marriage. They had two daughters, Cynthia and Kim; four grandchildren, Sean Lang, Ryan Lang, Adam Bustamante, and Wendy Bustamante; and four great grandchildren, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews who viewed him as a father figure. He and Betty moved several times in the early years (From Belen to Artesia to Gallup to Colorado Springs to Albuquerque and finally back to Belen) as he tried to find his niche in the professional world. He finally settled on Public Service Company of New Mexico, where he worked a total of 34 ½ years as a lineman and line foreman. In the meantime, he flew small planes and he and Betty raised their daughters, were active in their grandchildren's lives, cultivated a large garden every summer, and traveled when they could afford it. Because his own father had died young, Leslie purposely retired early with the intent to enjoy the rest of his life, thinking it might only be another 10 or 15 years. It turned out that his retirement lasted longer than his employment, a fact of which he was quite proud. He and Betty enjoyed their retirement by taking trips in their fifth wheel RV to several places across the country, visiting relatives and tourist sites and researching family history. They also visited Hawaii and the United Kingdom.

Due to his upbringing during the Great Depression, he never threw away anything that he could use for parts or repair "someday." Leslie rarely ever purchased a new nut, bolt, cord, or other mechanical or electrical part (and family members were scolded if they did) because he almost certainly had what was needed and knew just which shelf or coffee can held it.

Interment has taken place.

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