In Memoriam …
Carol C. Peterson Ogilvie, 85, Silver City, passed away at her daughter’s home in Anchorage, Alaska on January 7, 2014. She found peace after many years of health problems. She was born on December 26, 1928 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, the last child of Flora Belle Rothrock and Peter Louis Peterson. She grew up near downtown Mesa during the Great Depression and World War II. The family often traveled the state of Arizona for her father’s job as a well-driller. She graduated from Mesa High School in 1947 and then completed beauty school. On a trip to Payson, she met David William “Bill” Ogilvie, a cowboy and WWII veteran with deep roots in the Payson area. They married in 1949, and Carol moved to the Bar T Bar Ranch near Meteor Crater, where Bill worked. Carol worked side-by-side with her husband, doing the work of a rancher’s wife and acting as the ranch cook for many years. In the face of rustic conditions (including intermittent, generator-only electricity until the mid-1970s), she built a home and cared for her family. They maintained a house in Flagstaff, during their children’s school years, and she held many part-time jobs in Flagstaff during that time. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Ogilvie (husband, Michael Moore), Anchorage; her son, David (wife, Tamara) Ogilvie, Jr., Silver City, NM; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers and because of the value Carol placed on both education and ranching life, the family asks donations be made to the Arizona State Cowbelles Mattie Cowan Scholarship.
Sam Marion Elkins, 78, Dunken, passed away January 18, 2014. Sam was born October 25, 1935 to Mark and Ina Elkins in Bluewater. He was raised in the Grants area before marrying Jeannie Read in January 1959. They lived and worked on various cattle operations before settling in Dunken on their cattle ranch in 1969. Sam and Jeannie have also owned and operated the Turquiose Shop in Cloudcroft since 1974. He served on the PVT board of directors for over 15 years, the Penasco Soil & Water Conservation Board of Directors for over 20 years, as well as holding numerous leadership positions and roles throughout his lifetime. Sam was an incredible asset to his community, a devoted Christian and friend, the great patriarch of his family, and a true cowboy. He is survived by his daughter Shawna Smith, son Alden Elkins (wife, Tami), and son Randy Elkins (wife, Tracy). He is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and brothers Bill Elkins and Jim Elkins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cowboys for Cancer Research, PO Box 202, Dona Ana, NM 88032.
Sharon Kaye (Katie) Whitson, 68, Tucumcari, passed away on Monday December 30, 2013, in Amarillo, Texas. Katie was born December 4, 1945, in Tucumcari to Mack and Juanita Dennis. She graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1964 and then graduated from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. She had been an independent business owner operating Denmore’s Western Store for many years. She was a rancher, and a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Tucumcari Women’s Investment Group, was on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank, a member of the Center Street United Methodist Church, the Soil Conservation & Water Preservation Board and the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association. Surviving Katie is her husband Larry, children Dawn Bilbrey, Wade Whitson (wife, Becky), and Jana Garza (husband, Ray) and five grandchildren and her dog Maddie.
Evelyn “Bunkie” Deck Key, 85, Boot Ranch, Yeso, New Mexico, passed away December 10, 2013, at her ranch home. Bunkie was born in Roswell on May 15, 1928, to Tom Deck and Gladys Moss Deck. Bunkie grew up on the Lazy T Bar Ranch east of Dunlap. She attended school through the eighth grade at Dunlap. In order to complete high school, she then moved to Roswell where she lived with W.C. and Mamie Urton. She graduated from Roswell High School in 1946, then attended Colorado State University and New Mexico A & M, where she was an active member of the Tri Delta Sorority. In June 1949 Bunkie married Melvin Ray Key. They built their home at Wire Lake and established Boot Ranch, 55 miles north of Roswell, where they both resided until their death. Bunkie and her husband were active in the sheep and cattle business and ranched together in De Baca and Chaves Counties for over 50 years. She was bookkeeper for the family business, a tax preparer for H & R Block, and also kept books for Key’s Welding Service/Drilling and Pump Service for many years where she assisted her son. She is survived by three children: Billy Ray Key of the family ranch; Gary Lee Key (wife, Jeri), Roswell; and Sandra Barraza (husband, Joe) of the family ranch; one sister, Dorothy Edwards, Ruidoso; sister-in-law Sara Key, Fort Sumner; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Special thanks are extended to Claudia Juarez and Jody Rogers for the special love and care that they extended to Bunkie and her family over the past months.
Benolyn Kay McKibben, 69, Claunch, passed away January 2, 2014, after a long illness. She was born to the late Floyd Brunson and Kate Brunson Tally, September 11, 1944, in Alamogordo. The widowed Kate married Harvey Tally who was Benolyn’s father as she grew up. Benolyn graduated from Capitan High School in 1963. She married John McKibben in 1963. She and John made their home near Claunch, lived in Clovis a short time and relocated to Claunch for the remainder of their married life. Benolyn worked as a dedicated mother and wife, a cook and bus driver at Corona Public Schools, and a Postmaster at Claunch, New Mexico. Benolyn is survived by her husband, John, of the home, her son Mozaun and partner Hillary, Whitesboro, Texas; daughter Lynette, Corona, four grandchildren; sisters Dawn Satathite, Ronnie Smith (husband, Donald), Audrey Guy (husband, Ray), brothers Floyd H. Brunson, Harvey Tally (wife, Nancy), Will Tally (wife, Pam), Jake Tally, and Steven Tally (wife, Judy).
Marvin Huguley, 83, Clovis, passed away on December 12, 2013. Marvin was born on the Huguley family farm in Hale County, Texas on August 10, 1930. His strong work ethic, love of family, and amazing faith was initiated through his daily work side by side with his family. He graduated from Olton High School in 1947. After serving honorably in the US Air Force he returned to the family farm where he stayed until 1959. In 1950 he met Mary Hope Crist in Camps Drug Store in Plainview, TX and his life was changed forever! They were married in Plainview, Texas in December 1951. They started a family and remained in Hale County until moving to Farwell Texas in 1959. After selling his farm in Parmer County they moved to Clovis in 1963 where he has made his home ever since. In Clovis he went into farm and ranch real estate sales and he also became an auctioneer. He formed and was the qualifying broker of Huguley and Company for over 40 years. Marvin became an avid runner in the 1970s and 1980s. He ran many marathons including the New York City marathon in 1979. He was a member of the Clovis track club, past president of the YMCA, member and former deacon of First Baptist Church, avid wildcat fan and supporter, and an active voice of the Clovis community. Marvin is survived by his wife Mary Hope Crist Huguley, daughter Gayla (husband, Don) Brumfield, and son Ricke Huguley, all of Clovis; daughter Carla (husband, Bill) Carter, Chandler, Arizona; a brother AG (wife, Mildred) Huguley, Olton, Texas; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Clesta Estell Wallis, 91, a long time Quay Valley resident, passed away in Odessa, Texas on January 19, 2014, following an extended illness. Clesta was born July 15, 1922, at Quay, New Mexico to Bert Thomas and Eletta Ethel Morris Jennings. She had been a member of the Church of Christ of Tucumcari. She had been living near her son Stanley because of health reasons. Surviving Clesta is her son Stanley Wallis, Odessa, along with other relatives.
J. Rukin (Rukie) Jelks, 86, Sonita, passed away January 17, 2014 in Tucson. Rukin was born October 21, 1927 in Tucson. He grew up on his Dad’s X-9 Ranch located in the Rincon Mountains of Arizona. He attended Fountain Valley School in Colorado. Rukin was a member of Sigma Chi, graduating from the University of Montana with degrees in Anthropology and Sociology. While in college he met Carolyn “Keri” Gillett. They married in 1951, and he took his first job with the Hercules Powder Company in Phoenix. He subsequently owned and operated the Pioneer Gun Shop, was involved in a soil conditioning business, and ultimately operated the Diamond C Ranch located in the Canelo Hills, in partnership with his three sons, assisted by their loyal ranch foreman, Joe Quiroga. Rukin and Keri were strong contributors to their communities. He was a member of Rotary 100, The Phoenix Thunderbirds, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse Volunteer Search and Rescue, Chairman of the Arizona State Parks Board, placing Kartchner Caverns on the National Association of State Parks, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, The MO Club, co-founded by his father. A member of Los Charros del Desierto and Chairman of the Board of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. A sportsman with varied interests, Rukin was as comfortable in a cattle pen as he was in the board room. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Keri, three sons, Rukie (wife, Patricia), Daniel “Boone” (wife, Barbara), Jimmy (wife, Karen) and his 10 precious grandchildren. “Remembering Rukin” memorial to be held on Saturday February 15, 2014 1:00 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds 3142 S. Highway 83 Sonoita, Arizona.
Horace “Bud” Hagerman, 86, Santa Fe, died at St. Vincent Hospital on January 8, 2014 after a brief illness. He was born August 17, 1927. His parents lived at South Spring (near Roswell), but he was born in Colorado Springs. In 1932 the family moved up to a ranch in Santa Fe, Torrance, and San Miguel Counties. The headquarters located in the south part of Santa Fe County is where Bud grew up. This part of the ranch is still in the family. Bud and his brother Charles were schooled at the ranch by parents or a tutor through the elementary grades. For the secondary grades, they went away to board at Middlesex School, Concord, Maine where their father had gone before them. Bud graduated in 1946. Bud was drafted into the U.S. Army soon after graduation and served for several months before being released. He went Cornell University and graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1951 with a degree in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering. He returned to New Mexico to work on the ranch. In the 1950s Bud was re-drafted and served near Philadelphia in missile defense during the Cold War. In November 1961 he married Katherine Ann “Kathy” Kitch. They began married life in La Cienega where they welcomed three children. Bud and his friend, Elias Sena, built the original large mill at what became Las Golondrinas Museum. In 1968 the Hagermans moved to the Old Agua Fria Road neighborhood where they have lived ever since. For a number of years Bud owned and operated a large apple orchard and truck farm located west of the Santa Fe airport. This property, known as Las Orillas Ranch, later became the Horse Park. Over the years he served on numerous committees and boards that studied and advised on water including the Metropolitan Water Board 1986 to 1994. His latest position was as a member from Santa Fe County and the agricultural sector on the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee. Later in life, Bud developed a passion for salmon fishing in the northern Pacific Ocean which rewarded him with yet another circle of friends. He always grew a magnificent vegetable garden and enjoyed having produce to share. Bud is survived by his wife Kitch Hagerman; daughter, Anne Marie Hagerman Wall; son, Thomas Lowry Hagerman; son, Charles Nathan “Nat” Hagerman (wife, Kathleen Martell); and two grandsons.
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.