James Sedillo

James Sedillo, 79, passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018. He was born on May 7, 1939, in Hondo, NM to Petro and Idalia Sanchez Sedillo. James grew up in Dexter, NM. In high school, he was recognized for his excellence in playing basketball. He is commemorated in the Dexter Demons Hall of Fame as a four-year letterman. James was awarded a basketball scholarship to Alan Military School in Bryon, Texas in 1959. At Alan he received the highest award in English for the entire school. His ambition at the time was to be a coach. He married Margaret Orosco in 1960. They were married for over 55 years until her passing in 2016. They had four children, Jamie, Selina, Bernadette and Jerome. After starting a family, James decided to become a police officer. James became a member of the City of Artesia police force. His friend Melvin Miller was in the New Mexico State Police and encouraged him to apply. He applied and excelled in the academy. After the academy he had to wait four months before he became of age which was 23 at that time. James served faithfully in the New Mexico State Police for 23 years. Over the course of his law enforcement career he worked many different assignments including uniformed patrol, criminal investigations, and narcotics. He retired in 1985 as the commander in uniform for the Roswell District. James loved playing handball, participating in and winning several tournaments. He had many handball playing friends with whom he maintained good close friendships. James also loved to play chess. Being self-taught, he became very good, and spent many hours playing it. James never discriminated against anybody and was always ready to help anyone who had a problem. Never forgetting where he came from, he always tried to help the little guy. James will be remembered by those who knew him for his great sense of humor. Preceding James in death are his wife, Margaret Orosco Sedillo; a son, James (Jamie) Vincent Sedillo; a daughter, Selina Marie Sedillo; his parents: Petro and Idalia Sanchez Sedillo; and a sister, Della Sedillo. Survivors left to remember James are Bernadette Sedillo, daughter, and Mike Sanchez, son-in-law, both of Las Cruces, NM; Matthew Alirez, grandson, of Roswell, NM; Jerome Sedillo, son, and Kim Sedillo, daughter-in-law, both of Denver, CO; Marissa Sedillo, granddaughter, of Las Vegas, NM; Jerome Sedillo, Jr., grandson, of Denver, Co; Donovan Sedillo, grandson, of Denver, CO; Selina Sedillo, granddaughter, of Denver, CO; Helen Padilla, sister, of Roswell, NM; Gilbert Sedillo, brother, and Bennie, sister-in-law, of Dexter, NM; Ruben Sedillo, brother, of Dexter, NM; Joe Sedillo, brother, and Helen, sister-in-law, of Roswell, NM; Cecilia Leyva, sister-in-law, of Artesia, NM; Jane Flores, sister-in-law, and Carlos Flores, brother-in-law, of Roswell, NM; Manuel Orosco, brother-in-law, and Paz, sister-in-law, of Carlsbad, NM; and Teresa Anstead, sister-in-law, and Michael Anstead, brother-in-law. James also had numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation for James will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. A Memorial service will be held for James on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 7:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Those chosen to serve as pallbearers are Robert Montoya, Hugh Taylor, Hank Wunch, Nick Padilla, Jerome Sedillo Jr., and Matthew Alirez. Honorary pallbearers are Thurman Babb, George Ulibarri, Nick Saiz, A.C. Rodriguez, Leo Martinez, Daniel Mendoza, Chano Mendoza, Greg Segovia, Tito Garcia, Jessie Aranda, Herman Torres, and many more too numerous to list. Celebrate James’ life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a favorite memory or expression of sympathy for his family. This Obituary Tribute was lovingly written by James’ family.

James Sedillo

May 7, 1939 - June 2, 2018