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Roswell man sentenced for sexual exploitation of minors

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ALBUQUERQUE — A Roswell man who used the messaging app Snapchat to groom and eventually sexually exploit two young girls has been sentenced to 235 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of criminal sexual acts against minors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, between September 2022 and Nov. 18, 2022, Juan Rodriguez, 40, engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe 1, a 12-year-old minor female, on three occasions. Prior to engaging in sexual activity with the girl, Rodriguez had communicated with her via Snapchat.

During the summer of 2021, Rodriguez engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe 2, an 11-year-old minor female whom he had also previously communicated with on Snapchat.

In his plea agreement, Rodriguez admitted knowing the girls were minors when he initiated communication with them.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Rodriguez will be required to serve 10 years of supervised probation and must register as a sex offender.

County still mulling fate of Otis Gym

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A decision on the future of the Otis Gym was tabled at the June 4 Eddy County Commission meeting.

The Otis Gym, located at 2513 Smedley Road, about three miles south of Carlsbad, was slated for demolition, but that decision was tabled at the April commission meeting after residents expressed concerns.

During his presentation, Eddy County Public Works and Projects Director Jason Burns gave a timeline on the gym:

  • Fall 2018: Eddy County completed a facilities assessment.
  • May 2019″ Eddy County Commission voted to decommission the Otis Gym.
  • August 2023: Eddy County completed another facilities assessment. It supported its previous conclusions.
  • February 2024: Eddy County advertised for bids for the abatement and demolition of the Otis Gym.
  • April 2024: Eddy County Commission requested a presentation detailing the current condition of building.

    Burns reported there is confirmed asbestos and lead-based paint in the gym, mold in the restrooms, a failing roof, electrical and HVAC that is not up to code, and water damage throughout, as well as structural damage in the wood pier and beam under the gym. He also reported the Otis Community Center is in good condition and the grounds have been improved.

    Burns reported the 7,162-square-foot Otis Gym is in “system failure” condition and received a 123% total facility FCI score (cost of repairs divided by cost to replace) after the August 2023 assessment.

    Burns laid out four options with estimates.
  • Demolish and build new: $3.2 million
  • Renovate: $4.55 million
  • Demo only: $200,000
  • Leave decommissioned: Unknown cost

    Prior to the decommissioning in 2019, the gym was used for weddings, dances, skating parties and meetings. Community members have expressed value in the historical aspects of the building. Historical preservation efforts would increase the costs “a lot,” according to Burns. An idea that was thrown out was to take a section of the gym and put it on the wall of a new facility to preserve it.

    “Understand that if the direction is to rebuild this, it is not going to be like the existing Otis Gym,” said Burns. “It is going to be a metal building with a floor and new bathrooms and make it something that is not high maintenance. The entire point of building a new one is to spend the investment up front to lower our maintenance costs for the next 50 years.”

    “I’m curious,” said District Two Commissioner Jon Henry. “It’s right by Loving. They got gyms. I’m trying to figure out what we’re truly trying to change? To have a gym? Or a place to have a dance? We’ve tried to get the gym into someone else’s hands, and no one wanted to do anything with it. I would like to see the rental history as well.”

    “I understand the historical value,” said District Four Commissioner and Chair James Bowen. “Some of these old gyms are awesome. But what are we gonna do with them? I’m struggling with $4 million, and I am not sure who is gonna use it. I am willing to say there will be less than a fraction of a percent of the population of Eddy County that will actually use this place. In doing so, up front there’s money, and then there’s money in perpetuity after that for maintenance and upkeep.”

    “We are talking about spending $600K on the splash pad in Otis,” said District One Commissioner Ernie Carlson. “If the splash pad can be utilized as a draw, so will a new facility there. The idea was to put the splash pad to get more utilization of the community center.”

    Henry clarified the money for the splash pad is capital outlay money from Santa Fe and can’t be used on a gym.

    District Five Commissioner Sarah Cordova said she would like to go in the facility and see it for herself. District Three Commissioner Fred Beard agreed the Otis Gym is historic.

    “I think we need to do something with it,” he said. “I think if it was restored, the use might come back.”

    The commission tabled a vote and schedule a meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 14, to tour the Otis Gym and receive rental usage information on the gym from 2014-2019.

    Later in the meeting, Burns gave an update on Eddy County projects.

    Crews will be setting up a detour and start paving the Kraus intersection in Carlsbad over the next couple of weeks. County crews bladed Longhorn Road to smooth it out until the start of a big overhaul project on July 1. Eddy County also finished a relocated convenience station in Artesia.

    The transfer station, formerly located near the intersection of 13th Street and Fairgrounds Road, is now located adjacent the Eddy County Road Department’s Artesia warehouse at 2611 S. 13th St. Additional containers have been added.

    Eddy County Sherriff Mark Cage reported U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan is putting an appropriation before the federal committee for a Rapid DNA system for Eddy County.

    “The senator has been very instrumental in helping us with that,” said Cage. “It can help solve cases very quickly. We are expecting to see that happen.”

    In other business Tuesday, the commission approved an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to New Mexico Gas Company Inc., a New Mexico corporation and public utility, in Eddy County for 25 years.

    The commission granted a bid for employment-related physical services and drug testing to New Era Physical Therapy and Lesher Health Clinic. The commission then approved the revenue report for April 2024 with the following information:
  • Budgeted revenue: $262 million
  • Budgeted expense: $295 million
  • Actual revenue: $348 million
  • Actual expense: $198 million
  • Percent collected: 133%
  • Percent used: 67%

    Joshua Mack, Eddy County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) chief, reported the weight room at the fire administration building is open to county employees and both new ambulances are in service.

    Mack also reported the ECFR held a meeting at the Queen fire station May 8 and had 19 people complete applications to volunteer. The volunteers are in training, and they are hoping to get enough fully certified firefighters to re-recognize the fire station with the state. Mack also reported a new radio system should be in place by November or December.

    Mack said the ECFR’s firefighter and EMS recruiting grant was recently unexpectedly capped at $65,000. The grant was supposed to cover 100% of first-year salaries of entry-level EMS firefighters, 50% of second-year salaries, and 25% of third-year.

    “It was recently capped, so for our employees with benefits and everything, the grant would cover 54.7% for Year One, and the county will cover 54.8%,” said Mack. “Year Two, the county will be covering 70.8%, and the grant would cover 29.2%. In Year Three, the county will cover 86.4%, and the grant will only cover 13.6%.”

    Mack also shared citizens can check on wildfires at inciweb.wildfire.gov and on an app called WatchDuty Wildfire Maps and Alerts.

    In his comments, Henry shared that Lea County is putting $21 million into housing, and he is looking into how they are doing that.

    “Market-grade housing helps our first responders, it helps our county employees and teachers,” said Henry. “There are so many ways to help bring in workforce we are desperate for. I would like to see a possibility of a housing and economic development injection.”

    The resolution and agreement consent agenda was approved, which included:
  • renewal of a contract for commissary with Keefe Commissary Network, LLC, nationally headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.
  • renewal of a contract for on-call engineering, surveying, testing and/or environmental services with Stantec Consulting Services, internationally headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • renewal of a contract for landscaping services with The Garden Mart of Carlsbad.
  • the purchase of marketing services from Red Rocket Media of Carlsbad.
  • the purchase of a tire shredder for the City of Carlsbad.
  • an equipment service contract with Sparks Office Solutions of Carlsbad for a copier/scanner/printer for the administrative offices.
  • an equipment service agreement with Sparks for the County Assessor’s Office.
  • a service agreement with the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation for senior citizens’ program services.
  • a service agreement with the Carlsbad Community of Hope Center.
  • a professional service agreement with the City of Artesia.
  • a professional service agreement between Eddy County and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce for economic development services.
  • a professional service agreement with Artesia MainStreet.
  • a professional service agreement with the City of Carlsbad.
  • a professional service agreement with the Carlsbad Department of Development for economic development services.
  • a professional service agreement with Carlsbad MainStreet.
  • a professional service agreement with the Village of Hope.
  • a professional service agreement with Grammy’s House Artesia Domestic Violence Shelter.
  • a professional service agreement with Affirming Heart Victim Services of Carlsbad.
  • a professional service agreement with the Carlsbad Community Anti-Drug & Gang Coalition’s Teen Court.
  • a professional service agreement with the Carlsbad Honor Guard.
  • a professional service agreement with Paws & Claws Humane Society Inc. of Artesia.
  • a professional service agreement with Noah’s Ark Animal Refuge Inc. of Carlsbad.
  • a professional service agreement with the New Mexico State Mobile Library.
  • a professional service agreement with 535 Group, LLC, nationally headquartered in McLean, Va., for federal lobbying services.
  • a professional service agreement between Eddy County and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce for professional marketing services.
  • a Memorandum of Understanding with extension services in Eddy County.
  • a Memorandum of Understanding with the Eddy County Sheriff’s Posse.
  • a professional service agreement with the Artesia Chamber of Commerce for advocacy services.
  • a professional services agreement between Eddy County and Cambiar Consulting, LLC, nationally headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz.
  • a professional services agreement for general legal services for Eddy County.
  • a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Artesia for DWI offender tracking services.
  • a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Carlsbad for DWI offender tracking services.
  • a contract with Dr. Van Warren for auricular detoxification supervision.
  • a contract with Frank Magourilos for DWI Prevention Program oversight and evaluation.
  • a contract with Nancy Husselman for DWI community wellness and outreach services.

World War II veteran invited to D-Day commemorations in France

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Charles Baldwin, World War II veteran, gives a thumbs-up from the cockpit of an AT-6, the same plane he trained in as a pilot, after being given an opportunity to take to the skies again in February at the age of 102. (Photo Courtesy CBS News Texas)

By MARY ELIZABETH DAVIS
Lamesa Press-Reporter

World War II (WWII) pilot Lt. Colonel Charles Baldwin never took part of the Allied invasion of Normandy in northern France on June 6, 1944, a date remembered as D-Day. Instead, he and his crew flew 51 bombing missions over Germany during the war.

He and over 60 other American WWII veterans will see where Allied forces fought and died when they visit the D-Day beaches [this week]. They will attend ceremonies in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion to successfully push back German forces from Nazi occupied France.

Eight decades ago, 160,000 American, Canadian and British troops landed on stretches of French beaches that now carry the names of Utah, Omaha, Juno, Sword and Gold. Dubbed Operation Overlord, the invasion was the largest amphibious assault ever attempted. The battle for Normandy didn’t end until more than two months after the invasion.

An estimated 10,000 of Allied troops died in the conflict. Over 2,000 were Americans.

(Photo Courtesy Baldwin Family)

“Well, I have mixed emotions about it. I’m excited about it doing it, alright,” said Baldwin, a former Lamesa resident now living in Granbury, about the upcoming trip. “It will be pretty tiring, I expect.

“The participants have to have the doctor’s okay to do that. My doctor said I can handle it alright. I am excited about it.”

Those who served during the war are now in their 90s or older. Baldwin is 102.
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics’ website, only 119,550 of the 16.4 million Americans who served during the war were alive last year.

Baldwin has never seen the Normandy beaches. He visited the French Riviera on R&R (military slang for rest and recuperation) for about a week after the country was liberated and while his unit was based in Germany.

“When I first got to Europe, it was after D-Day and we went over on ship to start with,” Baldwin said when he was first stationed in Europe during the war. “When we landed in Scotland, they took us by rail to England to a replacement depot where we remained for sometime for about a week. Then we were assigned to different units. I was assigned to a unit in Belgium.”

The upcoming trip’s itinerary, organized by American Airlines, is a long one – especially for aging veterans who are permitted to bring one “guardian” with them and that includes medical staff.

Baldwin will have his youngest son, J.R. “Russ” Baldwin of Anchorage, Alaska, accompanying him, said his daughter, Judy Brooks, a 1968 Lamesa High School graduate.

“Dad’s great about it. It really helps him knowing that a whole team is going – doctors, nurses, big support group – as well as each veteran having a guardian. They will have a plane just for this group,” Brooks said about the upcoming trip.
“I feel great about it. He is sharp and amazing. He beats me in Wordle all the time. It’s a New York Times game my kids got me into it. I got him to do it and he prides himself in that he beats me most of the time. He’s very sharp.”

Baldwin and other veterans will experience a few days of sight-seeing before the D-Day ceremonies. They will arrive in Paris, take a tour of France’s capital city, see the Eiffel Tower and cruise down the Seine River. They could participate in laying a wreath at the American Cemetery in Paris June 3 before traveling to Normandy where they will stay in Caen, a town liberated by the British from Nazi occupation, for the next four days.

They are expected to visit both Utah and Omaha beaches, St. Mere Eglise, where U.S. paratroopers landed before dawn; and Pointe du Hoc, a 110-foot cliff overlooking the English Channel that was the location of a series of German bunkers and machine gun posts.

Veterans will attend the 80th anniversary ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery June 6. Senior Department of Defense officials, foreign dignitaries and the U.S. president are expected to attend, according to an American Airlines’ list of events.

Baldwin will depart from Paris the following day to begin the long trip back to Granbury.

Baldwin’s opportunity to return to Europe began when Joshua L. Holm, a paraplegic war veteran wounded in Iraq, the grandson of a WWII veteran and founder of the Steel Hope Foundation, submitted Baldwin’s name as a possible candidate for the trip.

“He’s working to help veterans in various ways. He was in contact with the project and put my name in the hat, and they accepted me,” Baldwin said.

Holm’s foundation is a platform dedicated to helping others BE STEEL (Believe, Expand, Stand, Transform, Encourage, Enlighten, and Love) all around the world. Through this initiative, Joshua advocates for veterans and those in need, according to Holm’s themanofsteel.com website.

Holms submitted Baldwin’s name to Roll Call, an organization that works in gathering veterans of all eras to keep their history alive. He chose Baldwin in remembrance of his late grandfather, Master Sergeant Carter Holm, who served as U.S. Army 43rd Combat engineer during 1941-1945. Joshua and Baldwin met during an Honoring Hometown Heroes service in Granbury.

“He’s the only name I could think of and he’s the only name I would consider. If there’s 100 people, he would be number one,” Holm said.

Baldwin’s service is now part of the Dal Paso Museum. Former resident Don Garnett donated a historical display documenting Baldwin’s service during the war. There are pictures of him near his plane and photos of him eight decades later.
“To honor Charles,” Garnett said. “He’s been a real good friend of mine for the last 20 years.”

Dale Krebbs of Wichita, Kansas donated the labor and materials to have the wooden framed display made. It is now located in the museum’s room of other veterans’ military past and their uniforms.

Baldwin during his “flying days” in World War II. (Photo Courtesy Baldwin Family)

Baldwin, who moved to Artesia, New Mexico, as a child when the family opened a clothing store there, was in his second year studying geology at the University of New Mexico when he learned about the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor. He wanted to go into active service, but he had to wait until they called him.

“I registered then for service in the air corps, but I was not contacted for duty until later. I enlisted in to be an aviation cadet,” Baldwin said. “They didn’t have room for trainees at that time. They did have room later on. They wanted a constant flow of trainees.”

He later left college in preparation for the call, went through civilian pilot training, got his private pilot’s license and helped out as a clerk at the family’s local Baldwin clothing store. The business in Lamesa, opened by his grandfather in the 1920s, closed in the 1980s. He moved back to Lamesa when the Baldwin store in Artesia, New Mexico, closed in the 1960s. He retired from the family business in 1987 in Lamesa.

“It was a little embarrassing to have to wait because here I am and guys my age were already gone to service. Why aren’t you in military service? I had to explain all that. When I got the call, I only got a few hours to get ready,” Baldwin said.

The call finally arrived in January 1943. He was commissioned in March 1944, attached to the 36th Fighters Group, 23rd Fighter Squadron, and flew bombing and strafing missions over Germany in a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter.

“We were based in Belgium. It was close to a small town. We flew out of there into Germany. I guess all of our flights at that point were in Germany,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin was in the hospital battling a case of the flu when his unit participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign to halt the Allied forces march into the Ardennes region between Belgium and Luxembourg in December 1944 – January 1945.

“I didn’t get to fly, but I was back on flying status in time to, you would say, mop up at the Battle of the Bulge,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin was discharged from service in December 1945, but stayed in the reserves until 1982.

He learned about the war’s end after he flew his last mission. After the mission, he went to a stream for a little trout fishing.

“I was walking back to my quarters afterwards and suddenly heard all guns and anti-aircraft fire and noise erupt,” Baldwin said. “I was afraid the enemy had pulled off a last minute attack, but found out it was a celebration that the war in Europe was over. I pulled out my 45 and joined the celebration.”

Baldwin recently had another experience reliving his days in the war. In February, he was able to return to the cockpit – albeit in the back seat – in Dallas to fly again in an AT-6, a plane he trained on before flying the P-47.

“It was exciting. It really was. It pretty much was a high spot,” Baldwin said. “It was one of the high times of my life. That was a big thrill after not having flown in that type of aircraft after many, many years.”

After the war, Baldwin helped his family at the clothing store. He married and raised a family of two sons and a daughter. His first wife, Peggy, died in 2005 after almost 60 years of marriage. He fell in love again. He married Myrna Bogle after they reconnected in Lamesa when he was 89 and she was 78. He moved to Lubbock, but later relocated to Granbury to be near his daughter and son-in-law.

“He has a very positive outlook on life. He really does,” Brooks said.

Charles Baldwin today. (Photo Courtesy Baldwin Family)

Baldwin’s journey took him through Artesia

Charles Baldwin surveys the skies during his AT-6 flight in February. (Photo Courtesy CBS News Texas)

By DAILY PRESS STAFF

Chuck Baldwin’s long and storied journey had a flight path through Artesia.

Baldwin moved to the community with his family as a child, graduating from Artesia High School. While waiting to be called to duty during World War II, he helped run the family’s local clothing and shoe store, and he returned to the store following his military service until its closure in the 1960s.

Baldwin is the uncle of longtime Artesia High School athletic director and head football coach Cooper Henderson, who is proud to see his relative have the opportunity to take part in the 80th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies. Henderson was also duly impressed to see his 102-year-old uncle climb into the cockpit of his old training aircraft, the AT-6, in Dallas, Texas, in February.

Baldwin told CBS News Texas it was “just like riding a bike.”

Baldwin’s trip to France to help mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day is being facilitated by American Airlines, which transported more than 60 World War II veterans ranging in age from 96 to 107 first-class to Paris.

NBCDFW reports a group of six Medal of Honor recipients from the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam have also been flown to France to help honor the veterans, along with two “Rosie the Riveters” representing the women who kept America’s factories and shipyards running during the war.

Fred Sanders

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A celebration of life is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the home of Jeff and Staci Sanders for Fred Lee Sanders of Granbury, Texas.

Sanders, 88, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. He spent his last night surrounded by loved ones, telling stories, visiting and laughing.

Fred was born Nov. 9, 1935, in Healdton, Okla., to Marvin and Lorene Sanders. He later attended Artesia High School, where he was known as Fast Freddy for his speed and agility. He was the star football player for the Artesia Bulldogs from 1953-55 and held the New Mexico pole vault record for 13 years.

After graduating from Artesia, he attended New Mexico Military Institute and Eastern New Mexico University, from which he graduated.

In 1959, Fred married Anita Kizer, and together, they raised their two children, Cheryl and Jeff, to adulthood.

Fred later moved to Texas, where he met Janet Pogue and re-married in 1994. He and Jan were able to retire and live out their dream of “lake life” on Lake Granbury, where they entertained and were entertained by their lake family. Fred continued the dream after Jan’s passing in 2014.

Fred was an avid sportsman who loved to fish, hunt and ski, but golf was his forte. He continued playing golf into his late 80s and even played in a tough three-day tournament at 87, where he impressed and inspired all the young ones on the course.

He was an excellent dancer and cook and was known for his fish fries and Colorado Bulldog drinks. He was also a big prankster and loved to tell stories.

Those left to cherish his memory include daughter Cheryl Erickson and husband Tom; son Jeff Sanders and wife Staci; grandchildren Garrett Sanders and wife Taylor, Morgan Buckles and husband Matt, Danielle Erickson, and Parker Sanders and wife Josey; great-grandchildren Aubree, Hudson, Ellie and Emmie; stepchildren Kelly Ray and husband Greg, Mark Pogue, David Pogue and wife Lori, and Karla Harwell and husband Glenn; brother Sam Sanders; sister Kay Sanders; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Fred will also be sorely missed by his lake family: Dodie Reddell, Kathy Gavlak Arnold and Steve Hemphill, Kevin Gavlak, Chris and Gladys Gavlak, and many other friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Lorene; brother James; first wife Anita Kizer Sanders Berry; and second wife Janet Pogue Sanders.

Ruth Eberle

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Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at Immanuel Lutheran Church for Ruth T. Eberle.

Eberle, 95, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.

Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery, followed by a reception at the church fellowship hall. The family asks those attending to wear red, white and blue in Ruth’s honor.

Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Terpening & Son Mortuary.
Ruth was born April 19, 1929, in Roswell. She lived in Artesia for many years before moving to Frisco, Texas, in 2019.

Ruth worked for the Artesia Public Schools until her retirement in 1996. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

She loved being with family and friends and enjoyed traveling the world. Ruth had the “gift of gab,” never met a stranger, was very patriotic, and was an avid Artesia Bulldog fan.

Survivors include daughter LouAnn Pope and granddaughters Tiffany Pope Picazzo and Alexa Pope, all of Frisco; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and son-in-law James Pope.

Jimmie Joy

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Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Fourth and Elm Church of Christ in Sweetwater, Texas, for Jimmie D. Joy of Roscoe, Texas.

Joy, 74, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024, at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas.

Michael Harbour will officiate the services, with interment to follow at the Roscoe Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody Hughes, James Parrott, Mike Casabonne, Jimmy Mason, Carl Everette and Ronny Rainey. Honorary pallbearers are Willis Hughes, Henry Don Parrott and Butch Vidler.

A friends and family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater.

Jimmie was born April 1, 1950, in Artesia to Trueman and Dorothy (Vogel) Joy.
He graduated from Artesia High School and received his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from New Mexico State University.

On May 4, 1984, he married Kaye Lehmann in Artesia, and the couple moved to Roscoe in 1996.

Jimmie was a lifelong farmer and was a board member of the Artesia Alfalfa Growers’ Association, the Penasco Soil and Water District, and the Nolan County Farm Bureau. He was a past member of the Roscoe Lions Club and a current member of Fourth and Elm Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Kaye Joy; sons Zachary Joy of Abilene, Tanner Joy and wife Beth of Abilene, and Nikolas Joy and wife Lindsey of Tuscola, Texas; sister Maryln Hartman and husband Eddie of Lake Brownwood, Texas; brothers Jack Joy and wife Diana of Artesia, and Johnny Joy of Lake Arthur; grandchildren Kolson Joy, Sam Joy, Kyndal Joy and Summer Joy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mccoyfh.com.

Jerry Roark

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A celebration of life is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Lake Bob Sandlin State Park pavilion in Pittsburg, Texas, for Jerry Dean Roark of Pittsburg.

Roark, 67, formerly of Artesia, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Gate fees for entrance to the celebration of life will be paid up front by the family. A second celebration of life will be held at a later date in Artesia.

Jerry was born Dec. 17, 1956, in Artesia to Vestal and Elsie (Owens) Roark.

He was retired from the oilfield.

Survivors include son Jeremy Roark and wife Shandel of Artesia; daughter Tabitha Dawson and husband James of Georgetown, S.C.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Terry Roark and wife Thelma of Artesia, and James Roark of Pittsburg; sisters Louise Mayo of Gilmer, Texas, Pamela Mosley of Ore City, Texas, Bertha Voss of Rio Rancho, and Tammy Saylor and Katie Gonzalez, both of Pittsburg; numerous nieces and nephews; and his godmother, Jan Sorrells and husband Tommy, of Pittsburg.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Roark; daughter Lynette Burrel; his parents; and siblings Vestal Roark Jr., Richard Roark, Johnny Roark, Evelyn Roark, Janey Matthews and Carolyn Turnball.

Arrangements are under the direction of Erman Smith Funeral Home of Pittsburg. Condolences may be expressed online at www.ermansmithfuneralhome.com.

Billy Latham

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Visitation is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at Terpening & Son Mortuary for Billy Wayne Latham.

Latham, 71, gained his heavenly wings Thursday, June 6, 2024, with the love of his life, Roxanna, by his side.

A celebration of life will be held from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Moose Lodge for family and friends. A brief service will be given and a meal served. The family welcomes all to come celebrate Billy’s life.

Billy was born Aug. 31, 1952, in Gilmer, Texas, to Chester Wayne Latham and Melba Louise Jones. He grew up in East Texas, where his family lived.

Billy loved camping, fishing, horses, gambling and working. His hobbies were woodworking, playing the guitar, and singing. He enjoyed being outdoors and taking the kids for rides on the “General” in the mountains. He loved vegging while watching westerns on television. Billy was a cowboy at heart.

On Dec. 16, 2017, Billy asked Roxanna “Rocky” Frazee on their first date. They were inseparable after that first date. Billy and Rocky were married on May 11, 2021, and as promised, they never left each other’s side.

Billy was most proud of his military service in the Marine Corps in the ’70s. He served his country proudly as an Aviation Fire, Search and Rescue Specialist.

Survivors include brothers Jimmy Maddox and Ann, and Ronnie Maddox; sister Carrie Ann Flanagan and David; daughters Amber Latham and Paul, Kimberly Morris and Terry, Alena Latham, Leanna Davis and Cody, Liza Latham, and Montana Mariscal; sons Robert Shields and Krystel, and Ramon Frazee and Janette; his wonderful grandchildren, Brooklyn, Evelyn, Chloe, Trey, Delilah, Georgia, Zaydenn, Zahriah, Zaydah and Zy’bryn; mother-in-law Esther Frazee; sister-in-law Rhonda Matejka and Curt; and brother-in-law Rene Frazee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents Morris and Margaret Latham; maternal grandparents Wiley and Izen Jones; and several beloved aunts and uncles.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.

Wanda Clarkston

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Memorial services are scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1711 W. Centre Ave., for Wanda “Laverne” Clarkston.

Clarkston, 90, went to be with the Lord Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Mission Arch Center in Roswell.

Interment will take place at a later date at the Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield, Colo.

Laverne was born Feb. 10, 1934, in Blackwell, Texas. She moved to Artesia in 1968.

She loved to read her Bible and go to church. Laverne also enjoyed crocheting, fishing and baking cinnamon rolls. She made Afghan blankets. She loved her dog Biscuit.

Survivors include children Bo Hunter, Bobby McCauley and Jim Hunter, all of Artesia, Tom Hunter of Louisiana, and Barbara Taylor of Hagerman; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley “Slim” and Ruby “Doodle” Campbell; two sisters; two brothers; son John Hunter; and grandchildren April Hunter and Reese Hunter.

Mike Wolfer

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Donald Michael “Mike” Wolfer, 68, of Artesia went to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

He was born Sept. 27, 1955, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Gilbert Dean and Ida Eileen (Murphy) Wolfer.

At the age of 8, Mike moved from Portland, Ore., to Alaska with his family. Growing up on a homestead, he became an avid hunter and fisherman. He graduated in 1973 from Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska.

Through the years, Mike worked a variety of jobs, including carpentry, automobile mechanic, heavy equipment operator, truck driver, welder and more. He officially retired in 2018.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Paula; daughter Rosalee Johniece Eileen (Wolfer) Powers-Ramirez and husband David; son Dean Allen (Wolfer) Powers; stepson Bryce A. Austin; five grandchildren; and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Eileen Wolfer; daughter Oriana Michelle Wolfer; and stepson Brian K. Austin.

Many of Mike’s fondest memories were lived in Alaska. His ashes will be scattered there by his lifelong friends.