In Memoriam …
Peggy York, 90, longtime rancher of Fort Sumner, passed away July 28, 2012, in Lubbock following a stroke. She was born Thelma Juaeise Burt on March 28, 1922, in Snyder, Texas, to Grady Burt and Velma (Brown) Burt. She was so small when she was born, at home, that a neighbor kept her warm in a shoebox near the oven. She worked for a gas company in Snyder and went to cosmetology school in Dallas. During her first marriage to a pilot who was killed in World War II, she lived in upstate New York, Birmingham, Alabama., Virginia Beach, Virgina and Charleston, South Carolina. Following her return to Snyder, she married rancher H.C. “Buster” York on July 6, 1947. As newlyweds, they lived in Colorado for several months on a ranch owned by Buster’s father, Jim York. When that ranch was sold, they returned to Gail, Texas and leased the Johnson Ranch for three years before screwworms and drought forced them to move farther west in the early 1950s. They purchased a ranch near Lake Sumner, where they ran mostly yearlings and some sheep until Buster died in 1973. She then raised cow-calves on part of the ranch and leased the rest of the place. She lived on the ranch independently up until her death. She dearly loved her family and her animals and will be greatly missed. Survivors include her son, Ralph Wayne York, and grandchildren Guy Wayne York and Randa Lynn York, all of Fort Sumner; her daughter Jane Rash and husband Billy of Willis, Texas; granddaughter Sharla Ishmael and husband Wes of Benbrook, Texas; granddaughter Carrie Mason and husband Kelton of Montgomery, Texas; and four great-grandchildren, Josie and Brooks Ishmael and Kaden and Kamlynn Mason.
Freddie Mack Anthony, 72 Elida, died in an auto accident on August 9, 2012. He was born on December 19, 1939, in Hobbs to John Thomas and Ruby Naioma (Vaughn) Anthony. He graduated from Elida High School and attended Eastern New Mexico University for two years. On June 28, 1959, he married Molly Ella Vaughn in Floyd and they enjoyed 53 years together. He owned Anthony Schools Buses and contracted to Elida School System for 40 years. He loved to collect antique cars, buses and tractors. He loved being in any parade with his cars. Fred had been a member of the Roosevelt General Hospital Board, the Roosevelt County Electric co-op Board and the Telephone co-op Board. He was also on the Border Soil Conservation Board and member of the Farm Bureau and served on numerous church boards. He was a very active member in the Elida First United Methodist Church. Most of all he was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Fred is survived by his wife, Molly; two sons, Mark, Muleshoe, Texas, and John D. Anthony (wife, Shelli), Elida; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Robert Hoyt Clifton, 82, died August 14, 2012 in Fort Worth Hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas, with his family by his side. Hoyt was born March 12, 1930, in Lindsey, Oklahoma, to Elsie and Belle Clifton. Hoyt served 26 years as the Director of the Bureau of Elections for the state of New Mexico, during this time he also served on the Federal Bureau of Elections. He traveled to Russia when their government was changing from Capitalism to Socialism, helping in the voting process. In 2003, Hoyt received the New Mexico Distinguished Service Award for his great works in the state. Hoyt was the symbol of New Mexico elections for the political insiders for 20 years. He wrote the election code and knew election law like no other. Hoyt spent more than 56 years in New Mexico with his wife, Ethelyn. He is survived by his three children, Aaron and (wife,Kitty), Marlow, Oklahoma; Brock and (wife, Cathleen), Bowie, Texas; and Rhonda Stockton/Deckard and (husband, Danny) Clovis; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Hatch, Bowie, Texas.
Aubrey L. Dunn Sr., 84, Wichita Falls, Texas passed away on August 23, 2012 at the family home. He was born in Alamogordo on March 25, 1928 to A.L. Dunn and Irma (Shields) Dunn. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Betty Jo (McClendon) Dunn; his brother Bill Dunn (wife, Pat) Hobbs; three children; Aubrey L. Dunn Jr. (wife, Robin) Lincoln County; Kelly O. Dunn (wife, Debbie) Las Cruces; and Jeree Stambaugh (husband, Jeff) Wichita Falls; six grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Aubrey (also known as the Ole Apple Picker) and Betty Jo raised their family at Dunn’s Cider Mill Farm in High Rolls Mountain Park. The Dunns were known for their hospitality, self-pick wormy apples, and scenic farm. Aubrey’s business career started as business manager for the Alamogordo Daily News, where he later became partner with Billie Holder and continued as partners after the Daily News sold in 1983. Aubrey started his political career in 1954 as the Otero County Assessor and was elected to the New Mexico State Senate for Otero County in 1965. During his 15 years in the Legislature, Aubrey worked tirelessly for the citizens of New Mexico as chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee. His legacy can be credited to the financial health of New Mexico today and seen in the school equalization formula; therefore, helping struggling small schools throughout the state. Aubrey was instrumental in establishing the state severance tax fund which saved our oil and gas revenues to work into the future for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to make the state as solvent as it is today. He was a candidate in the Democratic Primary for governor in 1982. Aubrey was a member of Faith Village Church of Christ in Wichita Falls and through the years received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career including Alamogordo Citizen of the Year. He played a significant role in the establishment of the International Space Hall of Fame and the naming of Aubrey Dunn Visitor Center. He also was a past president of the New Mexico Amigos. Over the past 16 years, Aubrey has fought a battle of multiple Myeloma cancer.
Gretchen Sammis, 86, Cimarron, died August 14, 2012 in the same bed she was born in at Chase Ranch, a few miles northwest of Cimarron. Sammis was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1986. Her selection was due in part to her civic and conservation work. She served on numerous local and national boards. She was voted “New Mexico Cattleman of the Year” in 2007, an honor given by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association and earned by a lifetime of service in the cattle industry. Gretchen is survived by her life-long partner Ruby Gobble and a world of friends.
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.