James Hontas

James Mike Hontas
Born: June 7, 1929. Canton, Ohio.
Died: December 12, 2014
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away of natural causes, surrounded by family at home; he was 85 years old.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Angelina.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Victoria ('Vicki'); children: twins Mike Hontas and Jami Hontas, and daughter Marta Hontas; step children: Karol Thieme, Brian Morrison, Marlene Celia, David Morrison and 11 grandchildren.
In the 1930's, the family moved to Albuquerque for tuberculosis convalescence for Jim.
He started playing the violin as a child, then studied piano.  While in high school he chose to learn the double bass.  During high school he joined the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra, which at that time was under the direction of Dr. Kurt Frederick.  Besides the symphony, he played in dance bands and combos.
After graduating Albuquerque High in 1947, he attended UNM for 3 years.  During the 1950's he moved to California, where he started his first family.  After 10 years he returned to Albuquerque with his family.  During that time he had not been playing an instrument but wished to return to music.  He joined the group 'The Enchanters' singing bass.  He was a member of this group for four years before taking up the double bass again; he studied with a bass professor at UNM.
This led to him joining the local community orchestra, now known as Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra and was principal bass for over 25 years.  It was during that time he met and married Vicki.
Subsequently he enjoyed many years of playing with the Roswell Symphony, San Juan Symphony, Southwest Symphony, El Paso Symphony, and the Las Cruces Symphony.  He also performed with the Bloomsburg University Chamber Orchestra at Sea, Chamberre in the Mountains, and Eastern New Mexico University Orchestra.  Locally he played with the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera as well as the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra, the UNM Faculty Follies, and the chamber group, Quartetto Con Brio.
His choral groups include the Enchanters, UNM Chorus, having performed at many venues in the US including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City.  He also performed with the Albuquerque Festival Singers throughout Europe, notably at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and at the Prague Opera House, Czechoslovakia.
Jim enjoyed a full life, working 32 years as a shop supervisor at the University of New Mexico Physics and Astronomy department.  He worked closely with physics professors and astronomers to develop and build research and scientific projects.  In 1986 he was awarded the University of New Mexico Sigma Xi's Scientific Research Society award for Devotion to the Promotion of Research in Science, and their award for Noteworthy Technical Support for Research Projects.
In 1982, he was appointed as UNESCO's consultant to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences to provide training in the field of machine tool grinding. He was able to bring his new wife, Vicki and 4 children along for the experience.
Affiliations include: Active member of the Albuquerque Genealogical Society and the Albuquerque Musicians Association Local 618, AFM.
Interests include: genealogy research, working crossword and Sudoku puzzles (his preferred weapon of choice being the ball point pen), gemology, clock making, stamp collecting.  At the ripe old age of 75, instead of just watching golf on TV, he decided he wanted to try to hit the ball like he had seen it done on TV ..... he had fun trying!
He will be greatly missed by many.  We wish to thank Presbyterian Hospice Care Team for their compassionate care, as well as the aid and assistance of neighbors and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra or the UNM Chorus.

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