In Memoriam …
John Nalda, 83, Edgewood, passed away on January 25, 2013. John was born January 17, 1930 to Michel and Soledad Nalda in Fort Sumner. He grew up in Corona, attended New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University. He married Nancy Gentry on February 9, 1957. They had two sons. He raised his family at Corona where he operated a cattle and sheep ranch. John retired to Albuquerque and later moved to Edgewood. He enjoyed playing the guitar and accordion and spending time with family and friends. John was a kind and loving man and will be greatly missed by all. John is survived by his son Scott, daughter-in-law Eileen and granddaughter, Prescott, Arizona as well as close friends Charlie and Angela Wright, Edgewood.
Mona Lucille Burns, 83, of Estancia, New Mexico, peacefully passed away at her home on April 9, 2013. Mona was born November 17, 1929 in Tatum, to Howard and Zena Ruth (Adamson) Grice. Mona married Lee Eddy Burns, her husband of thirty-five years, on September 9, 1949 in Socorro. Mona had lived in Estancia since 1962 having previously lived in Catron County. She was a charter member of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church. She was involved with her church. She is survived by her son Eddy Burns (wife, Renee) Moriarty; daughter Susan E. McKinley (husband, Frankie) Tucumcari; brothers Howard Grice and Robert Grice (wife, Nancy); sister Laura Francis Taylor (husband, Richard); six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Geneva Meadows, 84, Los Lunas, passed away on March 30, 2013 at Lakeview Manor. Geneva was born in Lanty, Arkansas on December 21, 1928 to John Henry and Annie Myrtle (Bridges) Garrison. She was two years old when her family moved to Round Top where the family farmed dryland beans. Later her family moved south to Center Point then later on to Mountainair where she attended school and graduated. Geneva then worked at the Mountainair Grocery or as she referred to it as the “Cash Store” up until she married farmer/rancher Thomas Meadows on February 8, 1950. They were married 56 years. Geneva helped Tommy raise prairie hay, raise a herd of Jersey and Holstein dairy cattle and farm dryland crops. They also ran feed trucks for Harlee Townsend during the 1950s drought. They both later farmed irrigated crops and were able to build a Hereford/Angus beef cattle herd which continues today. Her sister Sybil Franks resides in Socorro. Her son John Meadows continues to run the ranch along with her daughter Sandra Cornelius (husband, Kit) and her granddaughter. Geneva made her journey home just in time for Easter.
Fred McCauley, 82, passed away at his residence on March 3, 2013. Fred was born on August 2, 1930. He served several years in the Army. He also served on the Farm Credit Board of Directors in Las Cruces. He served a term in the office of Grant County Commissioner. Ranching and his family were his pride and joy. He is survived by his wife Virginia, four sons William (Bill) McCauley, Glen McCauley, Russel (Rusty) Reed, and Randall (Randy) Reed, Cliff; three daughters Karen Alexander, Cleburne, Texas, Bobbie (husband, Ricky) Massey, Animas, and Brenda (husband, Floyd) Clark, Cliff; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, the love of his life.
Weldon (Jody) Lilburn Dallas, 87, Hobbs, passed away April 12, 2013. Jody was born on November 6, 1925 to true pioneers who homesteaded 17 miles west of Tatum in the Caprock community. He lived on the ranch where he was born for 83 years. Jody was the fifth and last child born to C. E. (Clarence) and Mae Amy Thomas Bennett Dallas. He married Edith Mae Fields on May 5, 1950 in Clovis. Jody spent his life ranching in Lea County and was employed by El Paso Natural Gas Company, retiring in 1984. He was drafted while in high school into World War II serving in the Army Air Corp. from 1944 to 1946. He trained as a tail gunner in a B-24 bomber. After the war, he returned to complete his GED and attended Eastern New Mexico University. Jody was a member of First Baptist Church in Tatum, were he loved playing piano specials. He belonged to the Caprock 42 Club; was a member of Cattle Growers’ Association; the American Legion the Disabled American Veterans. He received the New Mexico Cowbells 1987 Father of the Year Award and the FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Year in 1973. Jody was honored at a centennial celebration commemorating 100 years of ranching (1910-2010). He is survived by his wife, Edith and two children, Elaine (husband, Ted) McVay, Hobbs and Craig Thomas (wife, Pam) Dallas, Caprock, along with his six precious grandchildren. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren. He dearly loved his niece and nephews and their families.
Alvie Joe McKibben, 42, Claunch, passed away March 15, 2013. He was born July 27, 1970 in Ruidoso, the son of John McKibben and Benolyn (Brunson) McKibben. Alvie attended Corona Schools and graduated from Corona High School in 1988. He furthered his education in Las Cruces with vocational training as a welder. Alvie founded McKibben Trailer Sales & Welding in Clovis and later Horse Bit Welding in Grants. He came home to help manage he family ranch in 2005. Alvie married Sandra Rae Proctor on October 27, 2012. They lived and worked on the family ranch at Claunch. He is survived by wife, Sandra and daughter, Kayle, son; Sheldon McKibben, Whitesboro, Texas; his parents John and Benolyn McKibben, Claunch; brother, Mozaun McKibben, Whitesboro, Texas; sister Lynette McKibben Straley, Madill, Oklahoma; a nephew, nieces and many friends and neighbors. He will be greatly missed by his family and community.
Gilbert Samuel (Sammy) Edington, 86, Pearce, Arizona, passed away March 1, 2013 in Willcox. “Uncle” Sammy was born Nov. 11, 1926, in Douglas and grew up in Douglas, Bisbee and Apache, Ariz. He attended Bisbee High School until 1945 when he enrolled in the Army. He was honorably discharged in June 1952 as a Sargent sharpshooter marksman and cook. He married Betty Elaine Walters, on May 10, 1950. They lived and worked on the John Cull Ranch east of Douglas from 1952 to 1962, when they moved to Gleeson, living living on the Cowan Ranch, until 1975 when they bought a home in Sunsites, spending the rest of their lives together. Sammy worked for the state livestock sanitary board as a livestock officer for 37 years. He loved to make spurs, fish, travel and spend time with his family and friends. Sammy is survived by wife Betty, son Fred (wife, Tana) Willcox, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
John Thomas Ogden, 67, Floyd, passed away after a battle with leukemia on March 13, 2013 in Lubbock. Johnny was born March 20, 1945 in Albuquerque to Hazel and LeRoy H. Ogden. The family moved to Portales when Johnny was 9. He was a 1963 graduate of Portales High. On November 25, 1964 he married Janice Gossett. He attended Eastern New Mexico University then New Mexico State University. Johnny worked 50 hours a week, and maintained a 4.0 average to complete his degree in Ag. Ed. in 1970. He worked three years as an Ag Teacher in Elida, before establishing a dairy, and in 1977, then moved the dairy to Floyd. In 1986, he closed the dairy, and became a dairy inspector for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture where he was employed for 27 years. Johnny inspected both dairies and cheese plants. He often served as a consultant for dairy and milk plants. Johnny was conscientious where the public health was concerned, but always tried to serve both the public and the dairymen. He was a member of Faith Christian Family Church in Clovis. Johnny served on the Eastern New Mexico State Fair Board, as well as the Roosevelt County Fair Board. Johnny served three terms on the Floyd School Board because he loved young people and he believed in education. He strongly supported the FFA and 4-H programs because he believed deeply in the leadership training these programs instill. Johnny drove the activity bus for the Floyd Schools for many years. He often worked as a chute man at roping events, and was considered one of the best. He could always be counted on to give loud encouragement for a job well done. One of the special memories his girls have of him is his distinctive whistle that could be heard throughout the State Fair Grounds. When they heard that whistle they knew it was time to come and find him. Johnny is survived by his wife, Janice; daughters Debbie (husband, Curtis) Allen, Rhea, Texas, Sherrye (husband, Anthony) Lovelace, Alva, Oklahoma and Tammy (husband, Trevor) Fraze, Portales; 12 grandchildren, two-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Dunaway (husband, Ken), Portales and Carol Pape (husband, David) St. George, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Sarah Ogden, Albuquerque, NM; and a nephew.
George C. Draper, 86, Wetmore, Colorado, passed away on Jan. 23, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Leona Draper; son, Buddy Draper (wife, Jerry), Wetmore; daughter, Peggy Davis (husband, Fred) Tombstone, Arizona.; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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.