We Know Agriculture...

Mac Langford, President/CCO

WE’RE HONORED TO BE YOUR HOMETOWN BANKERS.

Please call Colten Grau to arrange a visit. He’s working hard for our ag community and he’s eager to go to work for you!

Give us a chance to compete for your land and operating loans!

“LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR AG LOAN!”

—Colten Grau, Assistant Vice President

“I’ll work hard for your business. Customer success is my top priority.” linkedin.com/american-heritage-bank-nm facebook.com/americanheritagebanknm www.ahbnm.com

Merle O’Steen Cowan, 87, Sierra Vista, Arizona, passed away on March 1, 2023. She is survived by her children, Patti M. Bright (Robert) and Richard D. O’Steen (Karen); step-daughter Carol Cowan (Rich); granddaughters, Jenna, Kyla, Keara and Katelyn; step-grandson R.W. Wood (Andi); stepgreat-grandson Forrest Wood; her nephews, Tony Raulerson and Johnny Mills; and her niece Pamela.

Jack Richard Luce, Sr., 83, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away April 10, 2023 at the age of in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Jack was born October 24, 1939, in Clovis, New Mexico, to parents Joe and Fern. He was raised in eastern New Mexico, attending school in Floyd and graduating from Portales in 1958. He served a brief stint with the National Guard.

He was first married to Jann Kennedy, Arch, and they raised three children, Richard, Robin and Rena. Later, he married Reba

(Goff) Lovejoy, Milnesand.

Jack wasn’t born into the ranching life, but he got there as quickly as he could, ranching north of Tatum initially, then settling west of Tatum at Caprock. He took pride in building up his herd of market cattle, and enjoying the country life. In honor of that, Jack received the Honorary State Farmer award from the New Mexico FFA Association.

Jack devoted his life to Christ at an early age, and served as deacon at Crossroads Baptist Church, and Bethel Baptist Church in Roswell. He also was a dedicated public servant, volunteering as a polling official in most public elections.

When he wasn’t chasing cattle, Jack enjoyed playing “42” dominoes and tending his garden.

Jack is survived by his wife of 35 years, Reba; daughter-in-law Dianna Luce; daughter Robin Martinez (husband Danny); daughter Rena Reiser (husband Wallace); step-son Russ Lovejoy (wife Sheryl); and step-daughter Ella Helms (husband Del). He is also survived by his brother Ed Luce (wife Barbara), and his sister Darlene Richardson, along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sharon Cline, 76, Willard, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2023 in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Sharon is survived by her husband, Tom Cline; daughter, Shellie Langley; sons, Will (Nacona) Cline, and Tay (Tiffany) Cline. She also leaves behind a legacy of 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Sharon’s family has requested the donations be made to the Benny Smith Rodeo Scholarship Fund, C/O Marissa Muncy, PO Box 123, Corona, New Mexico, 88318 in Sharon’s name.

James Thomas Cline, 79, Willard, passed away on April 13, 2023. Tom was born in Graham, Texas to George Garland and Susie Reed Cline – a twin to Patsy and younger brother to Georgia.

Tom is survived by his sisters Patsy (Cecil) Batts and Georgia (Charles) Duncan, daughters Jolyn (Chuck) Schaefer, Shellie Langley and sons Will (Nacona) Cline and Tay (Tiffany) Cline. He also leaves behind the legacy of 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one on the way. Tom and his family lived on a ranch in Graham, Texas and then moved to New Mexico in 1947, moving around many times then landing in Albuquerque in 1954.

Tom excelled at every job he held from the Highway Department to Dry Cleaner, Ranch Hand on the Hubble Ranch, Teamster, truck driver and Sharon’s Ranching Partner. Tom was a friend to everyone he met and loved hunting, fishing, and rodeo.

He helped many kids get their first deer and was the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association Rough Stock Director for many years. He thought of all the rodeo kids as his own and treated them as such.

Family was the most important to him and raising his kids to be Clines. All Cline kids and Honorary Cline kids know what that means. In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family has requested that donations be made to the continued on page 32

Benny Smith Rodeo Scholarship Fund, C/O Marissa Muncy, PO Box 123, Corona, New Mexico 88318 in Tom’s name.

Gary Dean Lindsay, 64, Las Cruces, left this world too soon on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the age of 64, to join our Lord and Savior in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Gretchen J. Lindsay; daughter, Jodi Brenn Lindsay, Las Cruces; and son Jon Wesley Lindsay (Leslie), Caballo.

Gary and Gretchen have one granddaughter, JessiJo Weslynn Lindsay. Their second granddaughter in July 2023.

Gary is survived by his parents Wesley B. and Margo E. Lindsay, Carrizozo; sister Brenda G. Straley (G.L) Roswell; brothers W.

Todd Lindsay (Shelley), Tularosa; and J. Daryl Lindsay (April), Capitan; and motherin-law Margy G. Scales, Las Cruces; brother-in-law Steve G. Scales (Kerry), Cortez, Colorado, and sister-in-law Melissa A. Giacomelli (Darrell), Las Cruces; 11 nieces and nephews, 12 great-nieces and nephews, and many, many cousins.

Gary was born in Carrizozo, on August 25, 1958, and graduated from Carrizozo High School in May 1977. During his high school years, Gary was known as an outstanding football player, which he was well recognized for.

After high school, Gary attended New Mexico State University where he received an Associate’s degree in Agriculture Mechanics, in May 1979. After college, Gary moved back to Carrizozo and worked several jobs until 1980. From there, he moved to

Texas and worked in the oil fields for six years as a diesel mechanic returning back to New Mexico in the summer of 1986.

On October 12, 1987, Gary began a 35-year career with LTV/Loral Vought/Lockheed Martin at White Sands Missile Range. He started in the MLRS Division, as a diesel mechanic, working on the MLRS rocket launchers and was a part of the team that assembled the Proof-of-Concept prototype HIMARS vehicle.

Gary moved over to the PAC-3 Missile program as a test engineer, and was part of the PAC-3 missile first guided flight intercept – mission success. After 10 years with PAC-3, Gary became the Fleet Manager for the White Sands group of Lockheed Martin. Gary retired from Lockheed Martin on October 27, 2022.

Gary also served in his community. He served on the Dona Ana County Expo Board from 2006-2009, was president from 20092011. He also served as a board member of the Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo 2008 – 2012, vice president of the fair board 2012-2014, and president of the fair board 2015-2021.

Gary’s world revolved around his family. He very much enjoyed helping his kids with their 4-H and FFA projects and being active with his kids in youth, high school, and college rodeos. Gary shared his love for the outdoors, western way of life, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Gary was well known as a kind, generous, considerate, hardworking, loyal family man with a great sense of humor. He was happiest spending time with his granddaughter.

A special thank you to the entire staff of Fresenius Dialysis Center, for the care and support offered to the family on April 14, 2023.

Editor’s Note: 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. The New Mexico Stockman runs memorials as a courtesy to its readers. If families & friends would like to see more detail, verbatim pieces must be emailed to us, & may be printed at 10¢ per word.

Riding Herd

by Lee Pitts

ridiculous antics. Or, I should say, attempt to. I’ve witnessed a few disasters when the horse either moved a little, or in one case left the building entirely with great urgency after the consignor lit a cherry bomb which he’d obviously NOT rehearsed with his horse prior to the sale.