In Memoriam …
Barbara A. Doolittle, Watrous and Santa Fe, NM, passed away on May 27, 2013. She went peacefully, surrounded by love. She was a rancher, pilot, world traveler, and loving counsel to all who knew her. She is survived by her daughter Lesley King; her son, Brian King, his wife Nicole, and their children. Barbara is also survived by her stepchildren, Jeannette Doolittle, Annette Wiley, and Jim Doolittle, and their children.
Jane Cain, 84, T or C, passed away Friday, July 19, 2013. She suffered little, as it was a massive stroke that ended her life. Born February 28, 1929, in Eden, Texas, Martha Jane Fulcher was the fifth of Carroll and Tereecie Fulcher’s six children. Jane was raised by her mother and her older siblings after their dad died in 1935. Jane attended school in Concho County, Texas, and later in Elida. In 1946, she moved to what was then Hot Springs to live with her sister, Mildred Fryar. There she met Ben Cain. They were married on February 2, 1949, in Elida. They spent their first few years of married life in remote northeastern Sierra County on the Buckhorn Ranch. In 1954, they moved to the Bar Cross Ranch south of Engle, where they raised their three children. The couple lived at the ranch until Ben’s death.. Jane moved to T or C some years later. Before she moved to town, she welcomed people passing by the ranch on their way to the construction of Spaceport America. Jane took great pride in being a rancher and a rancher’s wife. For 58 years, her name was rarely mentioned by itself but rather as half of “Ben & Jane.” Ben and Jane were active in Cattle Growers and viewed the annual meetings as a chance to reconnect with old friends. Jane enjoyed church, especially Engle Country Church, where she helped lead the congregation in song. Jane is survived by one sister, Annie Rogers, Austin, Texas; sisters-in-law, Elma Cain, Nara Visa, and Olga (husband, Bill) Bristol, Nogales, Arizona; daughters, Judy (husband, Phil) Wallin, Moriarty, and Cindy (husband, Dudley) Goetz, T or C; daughter-in-law, Leta “Jake” Cain, Buckhorn; seven granddaughters and five great-grandchildren as well as many treasured nieces and nephews.
Dr. Clifford E. Trotter, 89, Amarillo, died May 30, 2013. Clifford was born September 12, 1923, in Abilene to Lida and Diana Trotter. He married Irene Vinyard on May 16, 1946. Clifford was a veteran of the Air Force serving in World War II. He saw combat with the Eighth Air Force in the European Theatre and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He attended McMurry College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree before becoming an ordained Methodist Minister in 1955. He attended Iliff School of Theology, Scarritt College and McMurry University receiving a Doctorate of Divinity in 1971. Clifford held pastorates in Abilene, Dumas, Hereford, and Amarillo. He also served as superintendent of both Amarillo and Lubbock districts. He was the Senior Pastor of Polk Street United Methodist Church from 1975 to 1985. Survivors include his wife, Irene Trotter, Amarillo; son, Johnny Trotter (wife, Jana), Hereford; two daughters, Elaine Calkins (husband, Tony), Kyle, and Marcia Murdock (husband, Scott), Amarillo; his siblings, Ella Ferne Jones, Leslie Trotter, and Mary James (husband, J.D.), all of Plainview; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Chuck Lakin, 92, Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on June 29, 2013 peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Regardless of what his birth certificate says Chuck Lakin was an Arizona native, although technically his birthplace is Fort Scott, Kansas on June 11, 1921. When Chuck was just 6 months old, his parents, Lloyd and Ethel Lakin, packed up their family and headed west. His father and a business partner, George Peter, bought a ranch in Kingman and the Cross U Ranch northwest of Prescott. This is where Chuck learned to love good horses and the ranching life. They also bought some land west of Phoenix near the Gila River. This land would later become the main farm and ranch of the Lakin Cattle Company. Chuck attended Emerson Elementary School, Phoenix Union High School, New Mexico Military Institute and the College of Agriculture at the University of Arizona. In 1943, just a few units short of graduation, he enlisted into the Army (63 years later he earned his diploma). With his love of horses, it was only natural that he wound up as a platoon leader and instructor in the Cavalry. Chuck’s military outfit was sent to Burma. They finished opening the Burma Road so supplies could be hauled into Kunming, China. While he was there, he organized possibly the first rodeo in China. During his service, Chuck was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart and Presidential Unit Citation for his service. Following his discharge in 1945 he worked for the Lakin Cattle Company. His job was managing the cattle operation at the Cross U Ranch near Prescott as well as the Phoenix feedlot. He also started raising and training Quarter Horses. Committed to the horse industry, he served on many associations’ boards and committees. He was past president of the Arizona Quarter Horse Breeders Association and a life member and honorary vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was recently inducted into the Arizona Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. In the 1960s, Chuck began pioneering a pelletized feed for cattle. He discovered, by accident, that the pellets made an excellent horse feed. Today the horse feed is sold in several states as well as overseas. For over 50 years the family corporation has and will continue to operate the Lakin Milling Company. Chuck was a life member and past president of the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Posse; founder and past president of the Estrella Rotary Club; a director of the Arizona Horsemen’s Association; past president of University of Arizona Agriculture “100” Council; member of Arizona Farm Bureau Federation; Board Member of Arizona National Livestock Show; Arizona Agribusiness Council; past chairman of Arizona Cattle Feeders’ Association. Chuck was known for his sense of humor. He wrote and recited cowboy poetry and was a great storyteller. He is survived by Maxine, his loving wife of 67 years, his four daughters, Linda McCann (husband, Jim), Charlene Bergland (husband, Eric), Sally Lindsay (husband, Don), Patty Carroll (husband, Larry), 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held in Phoenix in the fall.
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.