James (Jim) Henry Scroggin II was born to Jess Knox Scroggin Jr. and Amelia Grace Brown Scroggin on March 28, 1946, in Morrilton, Arkansas. He passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 78 at his home in New Braunfels, Texas surrounded by his loved ones.

Jim married Kim Taylor Scroggin on October 22, 1987, and they made their home in Artesia, New Mexico where they raised their children. In 2016, they moved to New Braunfels, Texas to be closer to their children and start their grandparenting years.

Jim served his country through the Army Reserve and attended Officer Candidate School. He was a teacher and coached football and track for many years. He loved his years spent teaching and coaching at New Mexico Military Institute and Artesia High School. He went on to enter the oil and gas industry and worked with many companies who might have started out as business associates but became lifelong friends. His customers were never just clients. To Jim they became his extended family. He was always able to connect with people, lending a listening ear and offering support to those around him.

Jim loved the Artesia community and gave back to it in many ways. Whether it was by serving as a city counselor, volunteering for the United Way, or being a Quarterback Dad for many of the Bulldogs football players, he always stepped in to give a helping hand. He continued his appreciation for New Mexico Military Institute by serving as a Foundation Board Member. Jim was also involved with the Chuck Wagon Trail Riders for many years where he was a trail boss, president, and on the board of directors.

Jim was a wonderful supporter of his children through the years in their endeavors and known as Grandad by his grandchildren. Jim will be truly missed by all who met him. He is survived by his wife Kim, son Tyler Scroggin and wife Shasta, daughter Staci Long and husband Matthew, grandchildren Lincoln and Logan Scroggin, Owen and Lily Long, and brother Tommy Scroggin and wife Donna. He is also survived by close family members Kent and ReChele Taylor, Kendall and Claudia Taylor, Jim and Karen Meeuwsen, and his many nieces and nephews.

At a later date, Jim’s family will have a private service to spread his ashes at the family ranch near the Penasco River

Jerry Frazier, 82, passed away on January 6, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Jerry Gene Frazier, a beloved soul who journeyed from this world on January 6, 2025. Born in the humble town of Globe, Arizona, to John Coy Frazier and Imagene Beatrice Guthrie Frazier on September 1, 1942, Jerry embraced the beauty of life with a spirit as vibrant as the morning sun. He lived his days as a hunter of both the wild and life’s simple joys, an outdoorsman in tune with nature’s rhythms, and a masterful concrete mason whose hands shaped not only structures but also the very community he cherished.

Jerry’s heart thrived amidst the wonders of the great outdoors, where he found solace and adventure. His passion for collecting and restoring tractors became a testament to his dedication to craftsmanship and history. Each machine he nurtured told tales of hard work and perseverance, much like the man himself, whose legacy will forever echo through the lives he touched in Artesia, New Mexico, and beyond.

As we bid farewell to Jerry Gene Frazier, let us remember him not in sadness, but in celebration of the beauty he brought to this world. May his spirit roam freely through the forests he loved and the fields he tended, forever at peace in the embrace of nature.

Jerry is survived by one brother, one sister and a niece and a whole host of friends. Additionally, he is survived by the Louis Fulton family who adopted Jerry as Uncle Grandpa over the past 44 plus years.

A service of remembrance will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home, Lampasas, Texas view the online memorial at www.heritagefuneraltx.com

A private family service to celebrate the life of Tony Penningtons 71 years of life will be scheduled at a later date. He died peacefully in his sleep January 4, 2025 after a long battle with Parkinsons
Tony was born July 22, 1953 to LV and Mildred Standard Pennington in Artesia, NM and was a resident of NM most of his life. His childhood was spent roaming the massive expanse of oil field land in and around Loco Hills, NM accompanied by his BB gun and his dog Tippy. As a young man he met the love of his life, Margaret Downs and they were married July 28, 1973. Not long after marrying, Tony was introduced to Jesus Christ and found a passion there that became a very deep very true relationship with his savior. He carried around an old brick and mortar Bible that was falling apart at the seems with notes and highlighting in almost every margin. He didnt have a favorite verse because the entire book was so vital to who he was. He had words of wisdom that will be imprinted on the hearts of his loved ones until we see him again. He would say When someone wants to give you a gift, no matter how great or how small, never refuse to accept it, accept it with humility and grace because that way you arent steeling their blessing.
The lifelong passion that Tony had for hunting, for nature and especially his love of Jesus has passed to each of his 3 children, Shales Zuniga, Shelsa Halsell with son in love Jason Lee Halsell and his son Tony Pennington with daughter in love Rachel Pennington; his 11 grandchildren, Jaron Halsell, Kinnah Pennington, Taylan Blackford and grandson in love Colton Blackford of Lubbock, Tx, Chasee Kraft and son in law Josiah Kraft of Albuquerque, Talyah Pennington, Colten Pennington, Audrina Pennington, Alexis Pennington, Adelynn Pennington and Ava Pennington; and even to the 7 great grandchildren. His legacy of faith will flow on through many generations like a replication of Genesis 17:7. His faith is our joy.
He was preceeded in death by both his parents LV and Mildred Pennington as well as his brothers Milton and Leo Pennington, his nephew in law Larry Muncy and nephews Leon Eldon Pennington, Milton Christopher Pennington and Chad Pennington. There has to be some pretty serious heavenly camping going on right about now and Tony is hearing the bugling of majestic bull elk across the canyons for the first time in decades.

Jake Klein, 38, beloved Son, Brother, Grandson, Father, and Son-in-law, was called to his eternal resting place on December 30, 2024.

He entered this world on March 11, 1986 in Carlsbad, NM, born to Timothy and Tammy Klein.

He is survived by his daughter Andee Klein and sons Cooper and Case Klein; father Timothy Klein; mother Tammy Klein; sister Courtney Gaines, brother in law Ryan Gaines, niece Presley Gaines, nephews Gentry and Destry Gaines; sister Jenna Herrera, brother in law Jonathon Herrera, and niece Addison Herrera; grandmother Margaret McCaleb; grandfather AA Klein; grandmother Betty Klein; mother of his children, Kelly Klein; father-in-law Pat Maloy; mother-in-law Mary Beth Maloy; sister-in-law Lindsey Maloy; sister-in-law Katelyn Maloy Fisher, brother-in-law Mike Fisher and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also cherished his long time friendships with Clay Mason, Kale Jackson, Dustin Polk and Seth Hairgrove.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Scott Klein, and his grandfather, Bruce McCaleb.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 6th at 10:30 am at Hermosa Church of Christ in Artesia, New Mexico (2512 W. Bush) officiated by Darrell Brown.

Jake attended Artesia Public Schools, graduating from Artesia High School in 2004. He went to college at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas from 2004-2006 graduating with an associates degree in Agriculture Business. He then transferred to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM and graduated with an Agriculture Business and Economics degree in 2009.
Jake was an active member of Cottonwood 4H and Artesia FFA. He competed on various judging teams and raised sheep, pigs and goats. He won numerous awards showing livestock. He also won the state FFA livestock judging competition in both his freshman and senior years of high school. He served as the President of Artesia FFA chapter in 2003-2004. He was also a proud member of the Artesia Bulldog Football state championship team in 2003. He was a member of the Hutchinson Community College’s livestock judging team, traveling all around the country competing.
Following college graduation, Jake was employed by PVT Telecommunications until his relocation to Albuquerque, where he worked for Maloy Mobile Storage.
Jake loved hunting, tractors, trucks, guns and reloading ammunition. He always wanted to be outdoors, and with his family and friends. His pride and joy were his three kids. He didn’t know a stranger, and would help anyone without skipping a beat. His generous, loving, and fun spirit will forever be missed.

Memorial donations can be sent in his memory to:

The Bridge
c/o Bob Mayberry
3302 W. Richey
Artesia, NM 88210

Artesia FFA or Eddy County 4-H

Services are scheduled for 10 am Tuesday, January 7, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Manuela A. Marquez of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Marquez, 81, died on January 2, 2025 in Artesia.

Father Vijay will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. A viewing is scheduled for 8 am Tuesday at Our Lady of Grace Church. A rosary will follow at 9:30 am.

Manuela was born on April 10, 1943 in Barrancos de Guadalupa, Chihuahua, Mexico; the daughter of Donaciano Acosta and Martha Urias Acosta.

On May 16, 1958 she was married to Jesus Marquez in Barrancos, Mexico. He preceded her in death on January 25, 2014.

Manuela was a housekeeper for the nursing home in Artesia for many years. She enjoyed cooking, dancing with her husband, going to church, and going out to eat in Hobbs with her sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Manuel Marquez, a granddaughter Martha Mata, brothers Candalario, Rosalio, Domingo and Jose.

Survivors include her children Irma Peralta, Martin Marquez, Angie Marquez, Maria Silvas, Israel Marquez, Bertha Marquez, Ruperto Marquez, and Jose Marquez; a sister Santos Yrigollen; a brother Merijildo Acosta; 21 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.