Kevin James Falen

Kevin James Falen Beloved Father, Grandfather and Brother. Kevin James Falen, 60, passed away on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, in Alamogordo. He was born on August 3, 1963, in Alamogordo, NM to Kenneth and LaNell (Randall) Falen. 

Survivors include his daughter and son in law, Megan and Henry Valenzuela of Alamogordo; daughter, Chelsie Falen of Montana; sister, Tanya Sanchez of Alamogordo; 5 grandchildren, Nikolas, Jeremiah, Rhiannon, Maximus, and Xaniel Valenzuela; his sidekick niece-dog, Pepper Sanchez; nephew, Brandon (Rachel) Hightower and niece, Amber Underwood; Aunt Clara Randall; cousins, Tiffany, Donnie and Ricky Randall, Darla Marshall, Deena (Chad) Daniel, Billy George Green; and numerous lifelong friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, LaNell(Randall) and Kenneth Falen; brother-in-law, Freddy Sanchez; grandparents, James and Maud (Neil) Falen; grandparents, Nadine (Jones) and Lloyd Randall; uncles, Jim and Billie Randall, Melvin Falen; aunts, Alice Chantre, Viola Marx, Mable Lewis, Mary Boxell, and Bessie Perlenfein; and his beloved cat, Seth. 

Our dad Kevin was an extraordinary man with extreme talent. His passion and dedication for a good 3/4 of his life was towards what he loved doing the most...drumming. Anyone that knew him, or even of him, could say without a doubt that he was the best drummer around in his time. He played at numerous gigs and won many drum battles. It was considered an honor for anyone to have him part of their gig. He lived life to the fullest at a very young age, and by his own confirmation, had no regrets. He had a heart of gold and always wanted to make sure his family was ok. When his parents were alive, he was always there for them when they needed. He also loved seeing and checking in on his 5 grandkids. He certainly had his opinions, but overall, he was proud to see their accomplishments this far into their life. We have always been a close-knit family, living very close to each other. With him being right across the street, I would always see his headlight walk across the yard at wee hours into the night, as well as his green sensor light constantly going off. We would always mess around with him by pointing the laser or shining a bright light across the street. All of these little things, the late-night texts, the 2+ hour conversations, the dinner request’s, hearing that little chuckle when he got a kick out of something, the blasting of music, and the constant asking of “where are you going now?!” I will sorely miss. There is now a void that will be impossible to fill. It is what defined my dad and provided endless entertainment. His loyal companion, Pepper, is going to miss her chow time buddy. He cared for her during the day and adored that dog. He also enjoyed spending time with Tanya’s horses on a daily basis.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Tea Shed on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 1:00 pm. Feel free to bring a dish.

The Falen family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.

From the words of his daughter Chelsie: 

My dad always enjoying checking on me since I work outside at a big horse ranch and am a vet tech in Montana. The winters are known to be very harsh there. He loved hearing about my ventures and would always ask about the weather and compare the temps between there and back home in the desert. Always saying when fall hit, "Yep, it's going to get a bit nippy out tonight my dear." That'd always make me laugh and he'd let out a little cackle at himself too. I would've loved for him to be able to experience a little bit of my life that I made in Montana. He would've especially loved to have met the horses that I was able to work with for so long. Being reunited with him after nine years was the best thing I could've asked for and it was much needed for both of us when turned 18. We always had a close bond even though we were states away. He always told me how proud of me he was.

I will always remember the first time he saw me play the drums because we hadn't been able to see each other in years and I had to become a military brat at the age of eight. His jaw dropped when I got done playing a solo at his buddies house and I had never seen him smile that big in my life. His response while happily laughing was, "Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree I see my love." His turn was up and I couldn't believe how well he played even though he was being hard on himself and said he was rusty and hadn't played in so many years. No-one could tell, it came so natural to him. His musical talent was definitely passed down and I couldn't be more thankful and proud of that. 

Dad, I'll miss our late night conversations and check-ins. Our jam sessions with your awesome stereo you had in your trailer house that shook the walls. The stories back in the day when you played in bands and said cars were parked up and down the street by your house and you'd say everyone knew where the party was at and you and your band was the "Guns N' Roses" of Alamogordo. Sharing your experiences working at the monkey farm, grocery stores, and pizza places. Showing me all of the different kinds of lights you enjoyed; your flashlights, emergency lights, outside lights, headlamps, ect. You asking, "How's my grandkitty Willow doing?". Our walks around the property and neighborhood visiting friendly neighbors that treated us like family. Spending time with your fur-baby Pepper, helping feed and check on Tanya's horses, and feeding the stray cats that would come around. Being able to send you a birthday and Christmas care package every year. You asking me if I had froze any of my toes or fingers off working outside. I'll miss all of it and so much more...You had the biggest heart of any person I've ever known and were always so caring towards me. You were such a light in manys lives and an amazing talented man. Music was in everything you were...your blood, your bones, and your spirit. I couldn't be prouder to be your daughter. We love you bunches and bunches.

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