In Memoriam…
W.R. “Bill” Thompson, 69, Dexter, passed on July 14, 2011. Bill was born April 21, 1942, to Henry and Mary Thompson in Carlsbad, N.M. Bill married Peggy Thorpe on June 7, 1964, in Las Cruces, N.M. She survives as well as two sons, Troy Thompson (wife, Gayle), and Trace Thompson, Dexter; brother, Tommy Thompson, Albuquerque; brother in-law, Topper Thorpe, Cliff; and two grandchildren. Bill served for many years as Chaves County Extension Agent. After he retired from the Extension Service, he worked for Michelet Homestead Realty. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Quarter Horse Association, Chaves County Rodeo Association, American Paint Horse Association, United States Team Roping Association and Working Ranch Cowboys Association. He was a member of Farm Bureau, and Chaves County Planning & Zoning Committee and a Trustee of Central Valley Electric Co-Op. He was an avid supporter of Chaves County 4-H and FFA youth.
Earl H. Moser, 70, Willcox, Arizona, died July 12, 2011. He was born in Florence on June 27, 1941 to Henry Monroe and Dovie Leona Kieffer Moser. Earl lived in Arizona his entire life, was a 1960 graduate of Willcox High School, owned and operated Willcox Real Estate Company, but his love was farming and he farmed up until his untimely death. Earl was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Willcox 2nd ward, was Past President of the Willcox Rotary and Past Assistant District Governor of Rotary, former board member of SSVEC, member of the Arizona Farm Bureau, for which he was awarded their 2010 Heritage Award, and was a FFA American Farmer. Earl is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Peggy (husband, Kit) Judd, Willcox; Dean (wife, Lenore) Moser, Ogden, Utah; Patricia Timothy, Mesa; Cathy (husband, David) Collins; and Cindy (husband, Sean) Chaffey, Willcox; and David (wife, Mindi) Moser, Gilbert, along with 34 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Jasper Koontz, 96, lifelong rancher and cowboy, died at his home in Corrales on June 9, 2011. He was born in Inez, Texas, on March 25, 1915. He was orphaned at the age of 7 and was reared by several aunts and uncles in south Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1938 and served in the US Army. After leaving the Army, he worked for his uncle, James E. Baylor, in west Texas and Durango, Mexico as a rancher. In 1946, he began a lifelong adventure with his wife, Ella Dee, ranching in Alpine, Texas. In 1948, Jasper and his cousin, James Baylor, Jr. purchased a portion of the Alameda Land Grant on the west mesa of Albuquerque, which is now Rio Rancho, where they ranched until the mid sixties. The ranch headquarters were located at their historic home in Corrales. In 1964, Jasper and Ella Dee purchased a ranch in Ft. Sumner, NM and lived there until 1973 when they returned to their home in Corrales. He was a devoted husband and was a father, mentor and partner with all three of his children during their various endeavors. He spent his later years in life team roping and pursuing his lifelong avocation of being a true cowboy. He was named New Mexico Cattleman of the year in 1977 by the NM Cattle Growers’ Association and was a gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and a lifetime member of the United States Team Roping Championships. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ella Dee Koontz; sons Jim (wife, Marilee), Ft. Sumner; Court (wife, Anne), Corrales; three grandsons, and three great-grandchildren.
Robert Browne (Rob) Hooper, 86, Springerville, Arizona, passed away on May 27, 2011. Rob was a nationally renowned Hereford breeder, active in the Arizona National Livestock Show and was a member of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association and the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association. He is survived by many loving family members and long-time friends.
Lucille Cooper, 95, Portales, died peacefully at home on July 3, one day short of her 96th birthday. At the age of 12, she moved with her parents, Amye and Sam Martin and two brothers to Sedan. She graduated Clayton High School in 1933, then attended Edmondson School of Business in Tennessee. On August 21, 1937, she married Lewis Cooper, lifetime rancher in Kenna. After her husband died in a car accident Lucille moved from Kenna to Portales where, after 16 years, married a friend and neighbor, Stanley Good. Lucille was active in the Elida and Portales Federation of Women’s Clubs. She served as state president of the New Mexico Women’s Federation for two years and on the General Federation Board for 12 years. She was invited to attend the National Prayer Breakfast by President Richard Nixon. Lucille was an active member of the Kenna Community Church and a member of the Portales First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, and served on many committees. She also served on the New Mexico Baptist Foundation Board, was an active member of PEO, and was a regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lucille, served on many more boards and committees throughout her lifetime. Lucille’s hobbies included watching basketball, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders, and Oklahoma University Sooners where her grandson played. She is survived by daughters Jenny Clemmons (husband, John), Kenna, and Jackie Ingle, Albuquerque; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; as well as Irene Chavez and Destiny Serna her caregivers to whom the family will be eternally grateful.
Brett Barham, 36, Maumelle, Arkansas, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2011. Brett grew up on a cattle ranch in Carrizozo and graduated from Carrizozo High. He received his bachelors, masters, and doctorate from Texas Tech University. Brett was Associate Professor of Animal Science for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and was President of the Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists. There was no stronger advocate for the beef industry. At his services, his pallbears paid tribute to that devotion by wearing the “I ‘heart’ Beef” pins. Survivors include his wife, Amber; daughters, Adley and Adison; parents, Gordon and Jan Barham; sister, Julie; niece, Janae; and his grandmother, Irene Barham.
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.