Pub. 15 2018 Issue 4

24 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S BANK NEWS IN MEMORIAM Visit us online! www.nmbankers.com www.facebook.com/pages/New-Mexico-Bankers-Association/371559049590485 poured in from around the world in the days after the death of his wife. “I wanted to make sure every dollar of that ended up back in the community,” he told the Journal. Thus far, the trust has awarded $50,000 in grants to seven nonprofits in support of education, to assist formerly incarcerated women, help with housing for women with children, teach skills to female survivors of abuse and promote sustainable water sources. The organization, now called the Jennifer Riordan Foundation, recently introduced its Spark Kindness campaign and smartphone app, challenging Albuquer- que residents to commit to a goal of 1 million acts of kindness, according to the Journal. n EARL C. SPRUIELL Earl C. Spruiell passed away on November 26, 2018, having served 42 years at Deming-based 1st New Mex- ico Bank in numerous capacities, including president. Born in 1938 in Iowa Park, Texas, according to his obit- uary he “was blessed with three great passions”: family, the bank and fishing. Spruiell married Jane Marie Bradley in 1972. In 1975, the couple moved to Deming, where Spruiell was hired as vice president of Deming National Bank. He later became the bank’s president, which eventually was rechristened 1st New Mexico Bank and 1st New Mexico Financial Corp. Spruiell was extremely proud of the scholarship fund established during his tenure at 1st New Mexico Bank, awarded exclusively to children of bank employees. Spruiell’s legacy lives on through three banks owned by the 1st New Mexico Financial Corp.: 1st New Mexico Bank in Deming, Silver City and Las Cruces. He served as NMBA President in 1991-92. HOLMO. BURSUM, III Holm O. Bursum, III, passed away on December 4, 2018, at the age of 84. Bursum was a third generation New Mexican and second generation banker. In 1959, Holm went to work for Albuquerque National Bank and remained with the bank until 1966 when he decided to return to his hometown, Socorro, and join his father at First State Bank (FSB). Mr. Bursum became President and CEO of FSB in 1987 and remained so until his death. His son, Holm Bursum IV, served with Mr. Bursum as vice president and COO. One of Bursum’s proudest accomplishments was serving as chairman of the State Highway Commis- sion from 1995 to 2003 - the longest serving chairman of the Commission in New Mexico history. n