In Memoriam…
Annie Modine (Hap) Mayfield, 93, Playas, passed away on July 29, 2011, in Las Cruces. She was born February 12, 1918 in Lubbock, Texas to Perry and Pearl Barnes. She graduated from Sudan High School, Sudan, Texas, and married J. F. (Jim) Mayfield in Sudan in 1938. They moved to La Plata County, Colorado in 1938, and ranched in the southern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico area until 1990 when they moved to Hidalgo County. She was a lifetime rancher and ranch wife with her priorities in life being family, her faith and ranching. She was a member of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Quarter Horse Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, Hidalgo County Cattle Grower’s Association and Tobosa Belles. She is survived by her husband Jim, son James (Butch) (wife, Amanda) Playas; two granddaughters and six great-grandchildren; two sisters Clara Carter, Midland; Opal Lechner, Ignacio, Colorado, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives of the Barnes and Mayfield families.
Ernest Clyde Goff, Caballo, passed away on May 8, 2011. He was born in Jayton, Texas and as a young man worked on the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie. During World War II he served in the 101st Airbone Division as a Paratrooper stationed in France, Holland, Austria, Germany, Italy and during the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium. As a Corporal wounded in action, he was eligible for the Purple Heart. He was a rifle marksman and anti-tank gun crewman. He was awarded the American Theater Campaign Ribbon with three Bronze Stars: the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon and Overseas Bar. He came to New Mexico after the War where he worked on the Diamond A Ranch, the Ladder Ranch and the Gordon Ranch, where he met and married Faye Gordon, his bride of 56 years. He is survived by his daughter Kaye Diamond (husband, Jack), Beaverhead; son Raymond Goff (wife, Karen), Las Cruces; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, their families and numerous friends.
James (Jim) Whitman Pickrell, DVM, 84, Sonoita, Arizona, died peacefully, in his sleep, on August 7, 2011 at his home. He was born July 4, 1927 in Phoenix, to the late Charles and Anna Wallace Pickrell. He is survived by one brother, Robert (wife, Lettie) Pickrell, Phoenix, and one sister Frances (husband, Roy) Brown, Chillicothe, Ohio; his daughter, Gregg Pickrell, Camden, South Carolina; the son of his companion Marsha Burden, Iric and (wife, Darlene), and grandson, Flagstaff. He had many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He attended the University of Arizona and Washington State University. He graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine of Washington State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced for many years in the Nogales and Sonoita areas as a respected and much-loved veterinarian for large animals. He was an artist and brilliant storyteller, and had a passion for history.
William “Bill” Kimble, 90, Douglas, Arizona, passed away on August 3, 2011. He was born on January 6, 1921 in Bixby, Oklahoma, the son of Floyd C. Kimble and Retha Vide Stiltz Kimble. The Kimble family moved to Douglas, AZ in 1926. Bill’s grandfather Charles Chester “C.C.” Kimble invested in the ranching business. Bill graduated from Douglas High and attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell then transferred to Stanford University. In 1941, he enlisted in the US Army for ‘the duration of the War’ after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the Port of Spain. He married Genevieve Louise Ford in 1945. In 1946, they returned to Douglas, where Bill and his father formed the Kimble Cattle Company and ran several ranches, including the original property near Chiricahua, over the next 30 years. Bill was member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, B.P.O.E., Sheriff’s association, Apache School Board, Whitewater Draw NRCD, American Legion, and NRA. He worked to bring electricity to the San Simon Valley. He was a strong advocate of Cochise College. He is survived by his widow Louise and seven children: Melinda Kimble (husband, James Phippard), Washington, DC; Bill Kimble Jr. (wife, Michele), Apache; Sue Krentz (widow of Rob) Apache: Melissa Strahl (husband, Stuart), Clarendon Hills, Il; Marguerite (Lily) Percell (husband, Mark), Phoenix; Jon Kimble (wife, Laura Cullen), Fresno; and Steve Kimble (wife, Josie), San Diego; In addition there are 13 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Colten Dan Gunn, Fort Sumner, died Friday, August 12, 2011, in an accident. Colten was born August 21, 1996 to Clifford and Beverly Ann (Bell) Gunn. He was a sophomore at Fort Sumner High School where he participated in football, basketball and track. He participated in FFA and 4-H where he Judged Livestock and showed pigs. He had just shown the Grand Champion Pig at the DeBaca County Fair. Colten worked with his family on the farm in the Fort Sumner Valley. Colten is survived by his parents; two sisters Katelyn and McKayla; paternal grandparents G.A. and Naomi Gunn, Fort Sumner; his maternal grandparents Mack and Betty Ann Bell, Corona; his paternal great-grandmother Zelma Gammill, Fort Sumner. Aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous other relatives, friends and schoolmates.
Tommie Charlene Long Bruhn, 75, Logan, passed away in Amarillo on August 18, 2011, following an extended illness. She was born August 24, 1935, in Tucumcari. She was a member of the Logan United Methodist Church. She worked along side her husband, August Bruhn, in all of their endeavors and was very active in the operation of the Bruhn Hardware. Surviving her is her husband, August; two daughters, Ellen Yvonne Bone (husband, Dale), San Jon and Gayle Rivale (husband, Raymond) Des Moines; two sons, August W. (Bill) Bruhn III (wife, Rachel) and Thomas (Tommy) Bruhn (wife, Johnna) all of Logan; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her mother, Lillian Ida Long, Albuquerque; sister, Dorothy Scribner, Tucumcari and brother, Dale Long, Albuquerque.
W.G. (Bill) Patton, 81, Roswell, passed away on June 16, 2011. A long-time rancher and farmer in the Ranchvale Community, Bill was born on April 6, 2011 and was the youngest of three siblings born to Burch R. and Annie L. Gordon Patton. After attending the Ranchvale school system, he joined the Army and was stationed in England during World War II. Upon returning he attended Eastern New Mexico University where he met his bride of 55 years, Mrs. Bill. He was active in the Soil Conservation Service, serving as Curry County chairman many times. Bill is survived by two sons, Gordon (wife, Betty), Roswell; Steve, Melrose, and four 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.