John R. Tomlin, who served five terms in the New Mexico House of Representatives in the 1960s and 70s, died Tuesday.
Tomlin, a Democrat, passed away at MountainView Regional Medical Center. The lifelong farmer from Las Cruces’ north valley was 80.
The former legislator held for 10 years the House District 36 seat currently occupied by Andy Nuñez. He was appointed in October 1965 to fill out the term of Mike Frietze, who resigned, and was later elected in 1969. He served through 1976.
“He was a hell of a Democrat and a fine legislator who served Doña Ana County well,” said Ray Sadler, a longtime Democrat and former county party chair. “He was a major figure in New Mexico politics.”
Tomlin was part of a legislative delegation Sadler said was the strongest Doña Ana County has ever had. It included former Rep. Bill O’Donnell, who chaired the House Appropriations Committee, and former Sen. Frank Papen, who chaired the Senate Finance Committee.
“Tomlin was part of the group from the south that was the power in Santa Fe for more than a decade,” Sadler said.
Tomlin chaired the House Transportation Committee from 1973-76, and was vice-chair of the Natural Resources Committee from 1971-72.
Sen. Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces, who was married to the late Frank Papen, said her husband held Tomlin “in the highest regard.”
“I always thought he was an unbelievable community servant,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of people who walk the great walk, and he was one of those people.”
Funeral services are pending through Graham’s Mortuary in Las Cruces.