Charles Noland

Charles D. “Chuck” Noland, a 1964 graduate of Artesia High School, passed away Monday, April 1, 2024, in Albuquerque.

He was the son of the late Clyde and Berdine Noland, who resided in Artesia in the 1960s. Clyde Noland worked in the oil and gas industry in the Artesia area, as well as in Oklahoma and Texas.

Chuck’s life in Artesia was reflected in the way he measured distances — from Artesia to anywhere else — his New Mexico drawl, and his fondness for small towns. He enjoyed attending his Artesia High School reunions, and he knew the antecedents of at least one person in each New Mexico town he visited.

After leaving Artesia, Chuck graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1973 with a degree in journalism. He later earned a Juris Doctorate from the UNM School of Law. He served as legal counsel for the New Mexico Department of Education before his retirement.

Chuck will be missed by his wife, Elizabeth; his sister, Margaret; and his two nephews.