Thomas Eugene Latta died Saturday, May 24, 2003, at his home in Vallecito. He was 73. Mr. Latta was born Sept. 8, 1929, in Whitedeer, Texas. He grew up in Delta and graduated from Delta High School in 1946 as president of the student body. He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and earned degrees in geology and nuclear physics from the University of New Mexico in 1965. He married Charlotte Ann Dent, of Grand Junction, in Montrose.  Mr. Latta began his career in Grand Junction with the Atomic Energy Commission where he was employed for many years. He retired from his job as a nuclear physicist for Sandia National Laboratories in 1993 after 32 years.  He was a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, of Santa Fe, and an active member of Mesa Lodge No. 68 A.F. and A.M., of Albuquerque, and the Ballut Abyad Shrine in Albuquerque.

Mr. Latta enjoyed traveling, gardening, fishing, mining and geology. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Latta divided their time between homes in Vallecito and Scottsdale, Ariz.  He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two daughters, Dana Buss of Castle Rock, and Pamela Medley of Albuquerque; one son, Mike Latta of Rock Springs, Wyo.; three brothers, Jim Latta of Eckert, Bill Latta of Delta and Larry Latta of Denver; eight grandchildren, Greg Medley, Eugene Medley, Kimberley Buss, Kyle Buss, Katherine Buss, Ann Dee TulVern, Ernestine Startup and Bea McGee; and numerous nieces and nephews.  A Masonic service will be conducted in Albuquerque today at the Ballut Abyad Shrine Temple, 6600 Zuni S.E. at 2 p.m.  Services and burial will be 2 p.m., Saturday, at Martin Mortuary 550 North Ave., Grand Junction.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Shrine Crippled Children’s Fund, 6600 Zuni S.E. Albuquerque, NM 87107.   Mr. Latta died by suicide.