Flora E. Buchanan
Flora “Flo” E. Buchanan, 76, of Ruidoso died April 20, 2005, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell. No services are scheduled at this time.
Mrs. Buchanan was born September 15, 1928, in Foster, Okla., to William and Luella Hatfield. They have preceded her in death as has as her husband, William Buchanan, an infant child, Forest Edward Young, and two brothers, Leslie and Dale Hatfield.
Surviving family members include two sons, Alan “Sonny” Young and Stephen Young both of Ruidoso; three daughters, Janice Bergeron of Ruidoso, Mona Richardson and her husband, Granville of Golden, Colo., and Pat Canfield and her husband Craig of Los Alamos, N.M.; two brothers, Delmo Hatfield and his wife Neva of Odessa, Texas, and John Hatfield of Snyder, Texas; sister Genetha Payne and her husband Robert of Snyder, Texas; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Buchanan had resided in Ruidoso for 33 years and was a homemaker.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Roswell.
Herschell McClurg
Funeral services for Herschell Woodrow “Woody” McClurg, 88, of Midland, Texas, were held April 16 in Midland with interment at Fairview Cemetery. McClurg died April 14.
He was born in Greenville, Texas, July 26, 1916, to Charles Willard and Emma Gidden McClurg. He was raised in Greenville and moved to Midland while still in high school, where he lived with the Midkiff family. He graduated from Midland High School in 1935 and married Bonnie Lou Weaver on October 2, 1937, in Rockwall, Texas.
McClurg worked in Midland and in Corpus Christi, Texas, before entering the Army in 1944. He completed basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas. After an honorable discharge in 1945 he moved to Odessa, Texas, and in 1947 opened the Mc Clurg Grocery and Market, which he operated for 23 years and which later became the McClurg Food Store on West Country Road. Later. He ranched in Llano, Texas. He purchased Odessa Beef, which he operated for four years.
He then became a salesman for Snap-On Tools and worked in the Permian Basin for four years. He founded McClurg Auto Parts in Snyder, Texas, with his son Tooter, and McClurg retired in 1990 to return to Midland. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and was an early president of the Permian Bass Club in Odessa. He loved the horse races in Ruidoso and was a member of the Ruidoso Jockey club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and seven brothers and sisters. Surviving family members include his wife Bonnie; his sons Donald L. McClurg and wife JoAnne of Midland, and Charles “Tooter” McClurg and wife Patti of Snyder; and his grandchildren Lee Ann, Bill, Carl and Cody and one great-grandson, Cole; two sisters, Leta Mc Clurg McGuire and Dorothy McClurg Morris, both of Dallas.
Susan Dolgener
A memorial service for Susan Michael Dolgener, 61, will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso. The Rev. Tim Gilliland will officiate. There will be no viewing. Her ashes will be placed in the First Christian Church Memorial Prayer Garden at a later date by close friends and family. A 32-year resident of Ruidoso, Mrs. Dolgener died Friday, April 15, 2005, following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born June 30,1943, in Brownsville, Texas, to Eugenia Judlin DuBose and the late Ralph W. DuBose. On March 9,1963, she was united in marriage to Bobby Dan Dolgener in Denton, Texas. She graduated from North Texas State University in 1965. She taught speech and English for five years at Bowie Junior
High and Ector Junior High School in Odessa, Texas.
In January, 1973, the Dolgeners moved to Ruidoso, where they bought and managed Canyon Cabins in Ruidoso’s Upper Canyon. After selling the cabins, they established Eagle Creek Construc-tion in Ruidoso. Following 15 years as a stay-at-home Mom, Mrs. Dolgener was hired by Ruidoso Schools, where she served as a much-loved teacher for the Gifted and Talented Program for several years. She substitute taught after her retirement and traveled every chance she got.
Sue was a member of First Christian Church of Ruidoso, where she and Bob attended more than 15 years and raised their two daughters. She had immense love for her family and friends, all animals, the beauty of New Mexico and the rest of the world, for which her suitcase was packed at all times. Her brilliant laughter inspired us, and she adored her grandchildren most of all.
She was preceded in death by her father, her nephew Zack DuBose, and her brother Robert DuBose in 2004.
Surviving family members include her husband, Bob, their daughter, Stacy Dane Barnett and husband Joe of Wolfforth, Texas; daughter, Julie Anne Vest and husband Jeffrey of League City, Texas; three grandchildren, Mallory and Adam Barnett and Zachary Vest; her mother, Eugenia DuBose, and her sister, Ann DuBose of New Braunfels, Texas; four nieces, two nephews, and many other relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Memorial Prayer Garden of First Christian Church, or Ruidoso Home Care and Hospice, P0 Box 2019, Ruidoso, New Mexico. The family thanks staff of Ruidoso Home Care and Hospice for their help and support during her last week at home.
Joshua Aaron Valdez
Prayer service for Joshua Aaron Valdez, 19, of Mescalero will be today at 6 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Mission, where the funeral Mass will be on Sat., April 23, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at the Valdez Cemetery. Valdez died Monday, April 28, at Mescalero.
He was born on Oct. 18, 1985, in Mescalero, where he lived all his life. He was a student and attended St. Joseph’s Mission.
Surviving family members include his father, Jerry Valdez; his mother, Linda Dee; brothers, Jerry Valdez, Jr., and Royce Vigil; sisters, Mildred Valdez, Princess Little Fawn Valdez, Cheri Valdez Vigil, Jera Valdez and Amber Dee; grandmothers, Zola Ahidley, Mary Naiche, Bunch Pellman, Leah Hosetosavit, Agnes Platero, Eva Ann Geronimo and Iris Geronimo; grandfathers, Robert Geronimo, Larry Geronimo, Leon Botello, Sr., Teddy Rodriguez and Nelson Platero; aunts, Daisy Valdez, Esther Scott, Francine Valdez, Patrice Enjady, Beverly Kirgan, Iva Enjady, Ada Palmer, Dorene Fernando and Kathy Skin; uncles, Larry Valdez, Leland Valdez, Snyder Geronimo, Leland Pellman and Ronald Jose.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
Dennis Kelsey-Wood
Dennis Kelsey-Wood died of heart failure Friday, April 1, 2005, at his home in Maricopa, Ariz.
Mr. Kelsey-Wood was born in Wales on Sept. 12, 1941.
He was a long-time resident of Nogal and a member of the Nogal Fire Department. He was a writer, researcher and author of numerous animal books. He loved horses, country music and dancing.
Survivors include his wife Eve; two daughters, Virginia Kelsey-Wood of Maricopa and Stacey Hayman of New Braunfels, Texas; a son, Alex of England and one grandson, Garrick. Condolences can be sent to the family by mail to 49929 West Gail Lane, Maricopa, AZ 85239.
Jimmy Franklin
A celebration of Jimmy Franklin’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 17, at First Baptist Church, 270 Country Club Dr. in Ruidoso.
Jimmy Marshall Franklin, legendary airshow pilot, performed his final earthly airshow on Sunday, July 10, 2005, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. He and close friend and airshow associate, Bobby Younkin, died in a midair collision of their aircrafts.
Franklin was born to Oliver Gene “Zip” and Valerie Jones Franklin on May 16, 1948, in Lovington, N.M. He learned to fly while sitting on his dad’s lap, helping in the family ranching and aviation businesses. He soloed at age 12, taught himself aerobatics, and at 19 began a 38-year world-renown career as Franklin Air Show.
Franklin faced a potentially career-ending heart condition seven years ago, but health and career were fully restored with the help of world-class surgeon, friend, and fellow airshow performer Dr. Raymond Vetsch, Freeman Heart Institute, a heart-valve donor, and God. The Franklins will be forever thankful.
Surviving family members include Franklin’s son and able business partner, fellow airshow performer and wing-walker Kyle Franklin; sister Terry Franklin, brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Jana White Franklin; nephew Soren and niece Mariah Sky Franklin; as well as innumerable friends and fans.
The Franklins will gratefully acknowledge tax-free donations made to Freeman Foundation, for Jimmy Franklin’s Heart Memorial, 1102 West 32nd St., Joplin, MO 64804. For more information concerning donations contact www.freemanhealth.com.
Norma R. Gimlin
Graveside services for Norma R. Gimlin, 84, of Carrizozo were Thursday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery at Carrizozo. Gimlin died Sunday, Oct. 9, in Carrizozo.
She was born May 6, 1921, at Pomeroy, Wash., to Bessie and Seaf Gimlin. She was a retired school teacher, moved to Carrizozo from Albuquerque Jan. 9, 2003, and was a member of the BaHa’I of Ruidoso and Lincoln County.
Surviving family members include two sisters, Helen Caldwell and Jean Villasenor both of Regina, N.M., and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made by LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
Joshua Chavez
Joshua Gregg Chavez, 20, died on Oct. 9, 2005. Chavez was born Dec. 29, 1986, in Ft. Polk, La. Being born into a military family, he lived all over the United States as well as Germany before finding his favorite place to be in Washington. Chavez was a proud graduate of Timberline High School class of 2005, and was often “saving” animals and friends and bringing them home to mom. He enjoyed working for McDonald’s but believed the uniform needed some adjusting.
Chavez is survived by his parents Charlie and Kristine (Murrow) Chavez, his sister Felicia, grandparents Melvin and Priscilla Chavez and Linda and Ronald Murrow, many aunts, uncles, cousins and many other loved ones and friends.
A tribute to his life is taking place at the Woodlawn Funeral Home in Washington today. To share a story or leave condolences for the family, please log on to www.woodlawnfh.net.
Ben Albin Lanford
Ben Albin Lanford, Sr., 92, died Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, at a nursing home in Fort Collins, Colo., after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years. There will be a memorial service in Fort Collins, after which he will be transferred for burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. The family suggests donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 101 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Lanford was born July 19, 1913, to the late George D. Lanford and Rachel Thompson Lanford in Bartonville, Texas. He spent his younger years in Fort Worth, graduated from Northside High School in 1931, and married his wife of 66 years, Dellie Stanton Price, in Fort Worth in 1935. Dellie preceded him in death in 2001 at the age of 87.
Soon after their marriage, and brief sales positions in Fort Worth and Albuquerque, Lanford entered into a career in Texas in the management of wholesale liquor and wine distributorships, with increasingly responsible positions with LeSage Company in Amarillo, Longview, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. In 1949, when LeSage Company sold to its key employees, he became a shareholder, officer and director of its successor, Lone Star Company and managed the branch in Houston from 1949 to 1960.
Lanford served as a Warrant Officer in the Coast Guard Reserves in Corpus Christi during World War II.
In 1960, he moved to Albuquerque, N.M., after purchasing State Distributors, Inc., a liquor, wine and beer distributorship operating statewide in New Mexico. While building this business, Ben became increasingly involved as an investor and manager in other opportunities in real estate, banking and racetracks in New Mexico and Texas. He and Dellie established a second residence in Ruidoso in the mountains of southern New Mexico, and both loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of this small community.
At various times during his long business career, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Santa Fe, an officer and director of Ruidoso-Sunland Corporation, a director of the Ruidoso Jockey Club, president of the Albuquerque Country Club, member of New Mexico Amigos and an advisory director of Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.
Surviving family members include a son, Ben Lanford, Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Fort Worth; daughter Dorothy Vaughan and husband Mike, of Fort Collins; six grandchildren, Lisa Jeffers and husband, Derrick, of Colorado Springs, Cindy Thill and husband, Doug, and Dalton Vaughan and wife, Kristina, all of Fort Collins, Douglas Lanford, of Albuquerque, Emily Lanford, of Alexandria, Va., and Sarah Braden and husband Michael, of Houston; nine great-grandchildren, Josh, Jesiah and Jamin Jeffers, Jared, Jamie and Brandon Thill; Kierra and Camille Vaughan and Hannah Braden.
Margueritte Cook
A graveside service for Margueritte Cook, 82, of Fort Sumner, was held Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Cook Family plot in the Fort Sumner Cemetery. The Rev. Coy Brewer presided.
Mrs. Cook died Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at the Retirement Ranch Care Center in Clovis.
She was born March 7, 1922, in Fort Sumner to the home of Joe and Liccie Bowlin. She was reared and attended schools in Fort Sumner, where she also married R.J. Cook on Dec. 16, 1939.
In Fort Sumner, the Cooks worked together in the family businesses and were members of the First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; her parents; and a brother, Joe Bowlin.
Survivors include daughter Brenda J. Stockton (and husband Ben) of Portales; son Gary W. Cook (and wife Jeri) of Clovis; five grandchildren, Dr. Seth W. Cook (and wife Katrina) of Waco, Texas, Zachery J. Cook (and wife Angie) of Ruidoso, Amber C. Brooks (and husband Brandon) of Albuquerque, Paige N. Cook of Amarillo, Texas, and Kasey R. Stockton of Las Cruces; brother-in-law Kenneth Cook (and wife Frances) of Moriarty; and two great-granddaughters, Sydney Brooks of Albuquerque and Julia Montgomery of Ruidoso.
Pallbearers for Thursday’s service were Rusty Cook, Russell Crownover, Alan Crownover, Henry Saiz, Paul Horney, Buddy Cortese, Nick Cortese and Kenny Cook. Honorary bearers included F.B. Willis and E.J. Crownover.
Contributions in Mrs. Cook’s name may be made to the NM Boys & Girls Ranches 6209 Hendrix NE; Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner handled the arrangements.
Opal Crenshaw Mills
A memorial service for Opal Juanita Crenshaw Mills, 85, formerly of Ruidoso, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Nogal Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Mills died Nov. 1, 2004.
She was born on Oct. 8, 1919, in White Oaks to Robert A. and Bertha Starkey Crenshaw.
She was raised at the family ranch on the north side of the Patos Mountains, and attended school in Carrizozo, graduating from CHS in 1935.
After graduation, she attended Oklahoma University and Eastern New Mexico College in Portales, where she was a member of Sigma Iota Chi and competed in the 1941 ENMC Rodeo.
In July 1962, The Western Horseman mentioned her in an article about that 1941 event, reporting that not only did she compete in the steer riding event, but won and “humbled” her male competitors. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in education in 1942, and later received her master’s degree in library science from Texas Tech.
She married W.H. Mills in 1942. They lived in New Mexico, Texas and several other states, as well as overseas in Venezuela, South Africa and Saudi Arabia before retiring to Ruidoso in 1980.
In 1994 she moved to Las Cruces, and spent her final days in El Paso.
Mrs. Mills was a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, Eastern Star, Amaranth, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse, Lincoln County Historical Society, Ruidoso Garden Club, Lincoln County Republican Party and Lincoln County Pony Express Committee.
Mrs. Mills was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five siblings, an infant son and her longtime friend, Jay Frasheur.
Survivors include her daughters, Karen Mills of White Oaks and Donna Gore of Midland, Texas; son Michael Mills of El Paso; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; as well as her caregivers, Daniel E. Gilpatrick and Richard E. McKinnon Jr.
Donations in Mrs. Mills’ name may be made to agencies that provide hospice care.
