From Crown to Community: The Hastings–Sepulveda Legacy of Service and Nobility

 For more than eight centuries, the Hastings–Sepulveda lineage has embodied a quiet but enduring truth: nobility is not defined by titles, but by service. From medieval England’s royal courts to the civic heart of Alamogordo, New Mexico, this family’s story is one of migration, resilience, and transformation—each generation building upon the last with purpose and pride.

 Origins in the English Crown

The Hastings name first appears in the 13th century, when Sir Henry de Hastings and his son John Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings served under King Henry III and Edward I. As barons and military leaders, they held hereditary offices and shaped royal policy during a time of feudal upheaval.

“John Hastings stood firm in counsel and in battle, a noble peer of enduring influence.” — Rolls of Parliament, 1290

Their legacy was one of loyalty and leadership—qualities that would echo across continents and centuries.

 A New World, A New Purpose

In 1634, Thomas Hastings crossed the Atlantic aboard The Elizabeth, settling in Watertown, Massachusetts. A deacon and Deputy to the General Court, he helped lay the civic and religious foundations of colonial New England.

“Thomas Hastings, a man of upright character and industrious spirit, contributed greatly to the founding of Watertown.” — Massachusetts Colonial Records, 1650

His descendants would carry the Hastings name westward, adapting nobility into frontier stewardship.

Westward Expansion and Frontier Spirit

In the 19th century, Zina Henry Hastings moved from New York to Michigan, part of the great American migration. His son, George Edward Hastings, ventured into Colorado’s mining frontier, settling in Telluride and Mount Wilson. George’s sons, Homer Edward Hastings and Mortimer Hugh Hastings, carried the family name into the 20th century, with branches spreading into Idaho and Oregon.

“George Edward Hastings was a pillar of his community, known for his fairness and dedication to progress.” — Iowa County Gazette, 1887

Their journey reflected the Hastings tradition of building where others dared to dream.

Maternal Legacy and Preservation

The Hastings legacy was preserved through the maternal line by Mary Hastings McDonald, granddaughter of Homer Hastings, and her daughter Marilyn Hastings McDonald Sepulveda, who carried the family’s values into New Mexico. Marilyn’s life reflected a blend of tradition and modernity, shaping the civic fabric of Alamogordo through education, athletics, and quiet leadership.

Her marriage to Bob Sepulveda, a respected coach and educator, marked the union of two families deeply committed to youth development and community service. Together, they mentored generations of students and athletes, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s educational and athletic landscape.

In 2025, Marilyn Hastings McDonald Sepulveda was inducted into the New Mexico Coaches Hall of Fame, a recognition of her decades-long dedication to coaching, mentorship, and the transformative power of sports.

“Marilyn Hastings McDonald Sepulveda built champions—not just on the field, but in life.” —NMAA Hall of Fame Posthumous Induction Tribute, 2025

Rene Sepulveda: A Legacy Reimagined

Their son, Rene L. Sepulveda, carries the Hastings–Sepulveda legacy into the present day. A coach, mentor, and civic advocate in Alamogordo, Rene has become a contemporary steward of the family’s values.

He co-founded AlamogordoTownNews.org and serves as Chairman of the Board of 2nd Life Media, a platform for local journalism and civic engagement. He led the stories and efforts of "what could be" in revitalization of downtown’s cultural arts district through Roadrunner Emporiums experiment of blending history, entrepreneurship, and the arts into a business model. 

 Rene was named one of the 25 most influential people in New Mexico by New Mexico Influence Magazine, recognized for his role in shaping civic dialogue, creative infrastructure, imosct into the arts and youth empowerment.

“Coach Rene Sepulveda has not only trained collegiate and Olympic champions but preserved the stories of those who came before him in the legacy of sports.” — NM Influence Mag

A Legacy of Nobility, Lived in Service

From royal courts to desert classrooms, the Hastings–Sepulveda lineage has carried the torch of public service for over a millennium. Rene Sepulveda stands not just as a descendant of nobility—but as a modern-day steward of legacy, proving that true influence is measured not by titles, but by transformation.

“We are stewards of a legacy, not just inheritors of a name.” — Rene Sepulveda

In a time when civic clarity and community pride are more vital than ever, the Hastings–Sepulveda story reminds us that nobility lives not in the past—but in the choices we make today.

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