In Memoriam…
John Clemmons, 74, Kenna, passed away at home on May 23, 2012. John was born on August 29, 1937 to Fred and Mae Clemmons in Greggton, Texas. The family later moved to Talco, Texas where he graduated from Talco High School in 1954. John continued his education at Arlington State University and later at Texas A&M Commerce. John’s work experience as an educator led him to Kermit, TX as a junior high teacher and football coach, and later to New Mexico Military Institute where he taught English and Psychology. John was later elevated to the position of Registrar and Director of Admissions; a position he held until 1971. That year he moved to the ranches at Kenna after the loss of his father-in-law Lewis Cooper. He became actively involved in the cattle ranching business, and was appointed in 1998 by the Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman as a member of the United States Department of Agriculture Advisory Board for Research, Education and Economics representing National Animal Commodity Organizations. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Chaves County and First Security Bank Corporation. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mental Health Resources, a Member of the Board of Directors of New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, a Member of Texas Cattle Feeders’ Association, a Member of the National Cattlemen and Beef Associations, a Member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a Member of the New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association. He served as a delegate to the Council for Agriculture Research, Extension and Teaching for New Mexico State University, Department of Agriculture, and has represented the Ranchers on Environmental concerns for the Bureau of Land Management-Roswell and Carlsbad Districts relating to prairie chicken populations. In addition to being actively involved in the cattle ranching business, John’s background has been comprehensive and has included service as a former member and Chairman of the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University, former member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Elida Public Schools, former member and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Roosevelt County and former supervisor of the Border Soil and Water Conservation Board. John has an earned doctorate from Texas A&M University-Commerce and he and his family are members of the Kenna Community Church. He is survived in death by his wife Jenny Ann; his daughter Rebecca Davis (husband, Chad), Texico; daughter Victoria Clemmons, Burbank, California, and daughter Marissa Olson and son-in-law Matt Olson of Las Cruces, NM, son Kevin Clemmons and daughter-in-law Beverly Clemmons of McKinney, TX, and five very special grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Jerry Clemmons of Talco, TX, Jim Clemmons, Carrollton, TX and Jack Clemmons of Athens, TX and seven nephews and one niece, as well as several great nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family and many wonderful neighbors and friends.
Ben Fancher, 68, passed away in Camp Verde, Arizona, on May 27, 2012, after an extended illness. Ben was born in Lovelock, Nevada, on July 7, 1943, to Eph and Ada Fancher. Ben was a cowboy all his life. Ben held many interests such as roping, drawing, woodcraft, leatherwork, and writing poetry. He worked on ranches throughout the Southwest and built many friendships along the way. Ben was respected and loved by all who knew him. He held a special bond with the children he met, and many of his stories are about the ranch kids he loved. Ben is survived by his two sons, Bill and Jim; and his five grandchildren. Ben’s laughter and practical joking will be greatly missed by all.
Lawrence Neill Fagan, 65, a longtime resident of Socorro County, passed away on May 27, 2012. He was born on March 27, 1947 in Belen, to Fuzzy and Vera Fagan. Larry worked as a Livestock Inspector for 38 years. He loved his job and loved the livestock industry. Larry had many talents, he was a gifted artist, working with paints, pencil, as well as sculpture, leather work was also a talent of his. He made many beautiful saddles, chaps and tack. Larry was a caring and compassionate man who cared deeply for his family, especially his grandchildren. Larry is survived by his longtime companion, Betty McDaniel, Socorro; his daughters, Macky Fagan-Padilla (husband, Frankie), Los Lunas, and Petra Fagan, Lemitar; five loving grandchildren; and his sister Nan Lane (husband, Terry), Bernardo.
Wanda Ruth (Giblin) Evans, 87, Cuchillo, passed away June 7, 2012 in Albuquerque due to heart complications. She was born July 19, 1924 to Charles and Lola Giblin in Peoria, Arizona. Wanda graduated from Glendale High School in Glendale in 1942. On April 9, 1943 she married Arthur H. Evans at the family ranch north of Phoenix. They lived there until Art joined the navy and they moved to San Diego where Wanda worked in the CocaCola Factory during World War II. After leaving San Diego they returned to the family ranch where she continued on as a hard working rancher’s wife and mother. In 1953 Art and Wanda moved their family to the Ladder Ranch near Hillsboro, New Mexico. For the next 28 years through three owners Wanda helped Art run the Ladder Ranch, manning communications, running parts service, maintaining the owners house, driving the school bus for all the kids at headquarters, and cooking countless meals for the crew of cowboys, her family, and everyone who showed up on her doorstep. In 1981 they moved to Roswell to continue working for Diamond A Cattle Company at South Springs farm/ feedlot and ranch, where Art continued on as a general manager overseeing ranches in New Mexico and Texas. In 1992 Art and Wanda retired and moved to Cuchillo where Art was hired as a consultant for Ted Turner who had purchased the Ladder Ranch. During her life Wanda was a talented seamstress, sewing many of the family’s western clothing items, often creating her own patterns. Art and Wanda loved to dance, and danced every chance they got. Wanda started hosting Sunday school classes in the living room at the Ladder Headquarters in 1955. That grew into the Caballo Church, which Wanda helped raise money to help build. Wanda was a founding member of the Chamiza Cowbelles, active in Farm Bureau at the local and state level, Cattle Growers and Wool Growers. Wanda served as a chairman of the Cotton Extravaganza, a Farm Bureau hosted sewing contest and as a participant in the same contest where she took home awards for her seamstress skills. Wanda also helped to host the “Lamb Booth” at the State Fair hosted by Wool Growers for several years. She helped to host Brangus sales that were hosted by Diamond A Cattle Company while in Roswell. Wanda is survived by her husband of 69 years, Arthur Hayden Evans; children April (husband, Ray) Romero, Cuchillo; Mikel (wife, Cathy) Evans, Albuquerque; and daughter-in-law Fran Evans, Las Cruces; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings – Donald Ray(wife, Billie) Giblin, Sedona, Arizona; Posey Giblin sister-in-law), Glendale; Richard (wife, Helen) Evans, Gilbert; Raymond (wife, Marlene) Evans, Yuma; Ruth Cordes, Greer, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Oneta Luce, 92, Farwell, Texas, passed away June 12, 2012 at her home. Oneta was born May 24, 1920 to John Roy and Effie Mae (Burns) Owen in Dustin, Oklahoma. She moved to Curry County with her family at four months old by train. She married Roy Leon Luce in 1939 in Portales. Oneta was a restaurant owner through out her life. She was a member of the Texico Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Leon; a son, Vernon Luce, Farwell; a daughter, Teresa Luce Curry, Texico; son-in-law, Lynn Cooper, Texico; a brother, Steve (wife, Bea) Owen, Clovis; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Lea F. Chaney, 92, Moriarty, passed away June 13, 2012 in Albuquerque. Lea was born August 8, 1919 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, to Ernest and Elsie Foreman. Lea had lived in the Moriarty area for 63 years. She married her husband, W. B. (Burrel) Chaney on January 5, 1940 in Ruidoso. Lea was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Moriarty. She was a member of the Roping Club, A State Resident Officer of the Home Extension and FHA Board Member. Lea is survived by daughters, Dona Jo Pachta and Shorty McDonald; brother Roland Foreman; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; and special friends, Hazel Inlaw and Bernice.
Elena Ernestine (Romero) Armijo, 93, Belen, formerly of Gladstone, passed away peacefully on June 6, with her children by her side. Elena was born in Chico, on March 27, 1919. She grew up in northeastern New Mexico and met her future husband, Sam Armijo while attending Tafoya School. They were married in Springer in November 1935, and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2006. Elena was a housewife and mother of 11. She was an avid seamstress and made most of their children’s clothing and household items, was active in their sheep and cattle business, raised chickens, and also served as a substitute school bus driver for Union and Colfax Counties. In addition, her hobbies included crocheting, gardening, canning, and especially quilting. She won many ribbons at the county fair in Springer, as well as an award for being the oldest quilter. In her later years, she learned to play the guitar and sang in the church choir. The Blessed Mother and the Sacred Wounds and Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were Elena’s special devotions. Elena is survived by her children, Angelita Armijo-Saylor, Victor Armijo, Maria Alicia Armijo, Carolina Alexander, Beatriz Amadita Grine, J.B. Armijo, Gilbert Lewis Armijo, Gerald Armijo and Leduina Armijo; sister, Josephine Aranda; sisters-in-law, Esther Hererra, Rosalie Armijo, Lillian Trujillo, Virginia Garcia, Julia Cordova, Berta Chavez, and Cecilia Mertz; 35 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Benjamin F. “Ben” Yale, 60, June 13, 2012, at Lima Memorial Health System in Lima, Ohio. He was born September 4, 1951, in Lima to E. Benjamin and Edith Dancy Yale. On April 14, 1973 he married Bonnie Gay. Mr. Yale was an attorney and owned Yale Law Office. He was currently representing Select Milk Producers Inc. and Continental Dairy Products Inc. and their family of companies. He was a 1969 graduate of Waynesfield-Goshen High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his juris doctorate degree from Ohio Northern University, Ada. He was a member of Waynesfield Baptist Church, where she was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was admitted to practice in Ohio, New Mexico, Texas and Illinois, as well as the United States Supreme Court. He was among the most knowledgeable and respected attorneys in the dairy industry representing dairies from coast to coast and border to border. He was a regular contributor to Progressive Dairyman and recently wrote a book The Paperless Law Office: A Practical Guide to Digitally Powering Your Firm published by the American Bar Association. He was active in his local community, serving on the board of the Muchinippi Theatre Group and the Waynesfield-Goshen Community Foundation. He helped promote the Waynesfield Community Trail Project with Waynesfield-Goshen school to have trees planted in memory of community members. He was an avid photographer. Survivors include his wife; a son, David Yale, San Jose, California; a daughter, Jennifer (husband, Ryan) Kidd, West Chester, Ohio; three brothers, Guy (wife, Judy), Bethany, Conneticut; Glen (wife, Nancy), San Antonio, and Philip (wife, Debbie), Westlake, Ohio; a sister, Nina Dudgeon, Sylvania, Ohio; and two grandchildren.
Jeffery Reed White, 59, Tsaile, Arizona, passed away in Scottsdale on May 31, 2012 after a brief illness. Reed was born on February 22, 1953 in Morenci, the fourth child of Harry and Helen White. He attended elementary and high school in Duncan, then attended New Mexico State University, Eastern Arizona College and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in agricultural education. In addition to teaching in Arizona, Reed sold farm equipment in Arizona and Saudi, Arabia. His passion was people and he loved children. Team roping was his favorite pass-time. Reed is survived by his son, Carson, of Chandler; brother John of Bakersfield, California; a niece, nephews, cousins and literally a world of friends.
Henry Lamb, 74, Hollow Rock, Tennessee, passed away on May 23, 2012. He was born on May 16, 1938 and is survived by his wife Irene. Henry held a lifelong dedication to the Constitution, and did more to warn average people about the destructive encroachment of the United Nations on human society than any other source. His columns on the UN’s Agenda 21 which appeared around the world were classics. Henry founded of the Environmental Conservation Organization in 1988, Sovereignty International Inc. in 1996, and Freedom21 Inc. in 1999. He was publisher of eco-logic Powerhouse, a widely-read, online and print magazine. He attended United Nations meetings around the world, was a frequent speaker at educational conferences and workshops throughout the US, and was a regular guest on dozens of talk radio programs. He also gave his time to serve on various boards and committees of other organizations that promote environmental stewardship, private property rights, and Constitutional values. Henry provided testimony for the U.S. Congress, as well as State Legislatures, and was a consultant on U.N. affairs to FOX News. During his lengthy illness, Lamb wrote his columns from his hospital bed, never missing a deadline. While Henry will never be far from us, we may live by his words, “You must never tire. You must keep every ounce of energy you have in fighting the good fight.”
June Catherine (Spurgeon) Allred, 82 went to be with the Lord June 20, 2012 at UMC hospital in El Paso. She was born May 6, 1930 in Silver City. She was raised on a ranch on the San Francisco River ten miles north of Glenwood. She was a loving and hardworking wife, mother, and grandmother. June was proprietor of the Lariat Motel, and Blue Front Bar & Café since the early 1960s. She was a cornerstone and matriarch of the Allred, Spurgeon, and Acosta families. She is survived by daughter Wendlyn Peralta (husband, Lester); son Bucky Allred (wife, Garnelle); four grandchildren, two nieces she was especially fond of, Cathy Tharp and Becky Dozier; nephew, Tommy Spurgeon. She is also survived by many wonderful cousins and friends. She was especially fond of her cousins Byron Spurgeon, Wayne Spurgeon, Sam Trujillo, J.D. Martinez, Eddie Joe Acosta and Bruce Allred. June had three very special friends Bonnie Schmeider, Marty Cook, and Coop Stailey.
Editor’s Note: Please send In Memoriam announcements to: Caren Cowan, N.M. Stockman, P.O. Box 7127, Albuquerque, NM 87194, fax: 505/998-6236 or email: caren@aaalivestock.com. Memorial donations may be sent to the Cattlegrowers’ Foundation, a 501(c)3, tax deductable charitable foundation serving the rights of ranch families and educating citizens on governmental actions, policies and practices. Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7517, Albuquerque, NM 87194.