Larry Wooton

Obituary: a notice of the death of a person, often with a biographical sketch. But that doesn’t tell you about how important the life was. So, how do you begin to sum up the life of Larry F. Wooton? I suppose you start with born March 11, 1938; died January 6, 2007 in his home. But in between, our dad LIVED! And that forever changed all of our lives. Services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Roswell on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 2:00 o’clock. Graveside services will follow at South Park Cemetery. He was born to Cubah and Isom Fred Wooton (both of which have gone on before) while they lived in Maljamar, NM. But that doesn’t tell you about the many long hours of hard work that our dad spent growing and learning while working cattle from the time he was “able to sit on horseback.” It also doesn’t tell you about his older sister, Belle and John Tunnell and her family, and all the fun times we had playing dominoes at family reunions, or about his younger brother, Tommy Joe, who dies in a mining accident when he was just 21. Next, I guess you should report that Larry went to school in Lovington, NM. But that doesn’t tell you about the many life-long friends he made there, or that Lovington was the place he came home to after serving in the U. S. Army, or where he met, fell in love with, and married our mom, Waynette Greer, on February 15, 1959 and where they began their 47 years together. A description of a man’s life isn’t complete without his life’s work: Larry was a self made man. His early work as in the oil field around Maljamar. With the encouragement of long time friend Dick Moor. Larry went to Auctioneer School in 1965 where he started a career that he loved, which was being a livestock auctioneer. Larry spent many long days driving to Roswell and Albuquerque just to get to sell a hour or two. Then he would head back home to Maljamar to work in the oil field to make a living for his family. In 1968, he and Dick leased Roswell Livestock Auction from TM Dye and started their career in the Livestock Auction Business. But that doesn’t tell you of his passion for agriculture and everything surrounding it. How he built and was partners in the sale barn in Lovington and eventually ran the barn in Midland, TX and had sales all over Arizona and New Mexico on the Indian reservation, all at the same time from 1968 to 1976. How he later moved the family to Clovis and owned and operated the sale barn there for six years, or how he ended up back at Roswell Livestock Auction in 1984. To simply say he loved agriculture doesn’t put into words how he loved the western way of life, from watching his kids and grandkids compete in rodeos, ranch rodeos, and fairs. He supported 4-H and FFA by auctioning the Lea County Fair Sale for 30 straight years. He also sold the Junior Livestock Sale at the Chaves County Fair, Eastern New Mexico State Fair, as well as, the stock show in Pecos, TX, and the countless number of show animals he bought. Larry has auctioned everything from rolling pins for the Maljamar March of Dimes Benefit to a Rolls Royce with President George W. Bush for the American Cancer Society. Of course, a biography must include that Larry is survived by his four children: Benny and his wife, Cindy, Kyle (Smiley) and his wife, Shannon, Crystal and her husband, Rudy Tarpley, and Craig. He also had eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild: Benny’s kids, Will and his wife, Toni, and their son, Brighton, Shelby and her husband, Destry Moss; Smiley’s kids, Kyla, Kade, Kelsey, and Kullen; and Crystal’s kids, Joshua and Matthew. But this doesn’t tell you what he meant to us. How he taught us to always do your best and never do a job half way, that your word and handshake are stronger than any written contract, to never ask someone to do something you’re not willing to do yourself, and if you “concentrate on filling the back of your shovel, the front end will take care of itself.” Dad would say all this is a little much….”puttin’ on the dog.” And sure, we know that he wasn’t perfect, but along the way, Larry touched countless lives through it all. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. He was closer to the Lord out on the ranch where he said they had some great talks. He was a loving husband, caring father and Granddad, faithful friend, and honest businessman. And now…though gone from us, our dad still lives…in our hearts, in our memories, and with the Savior. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to any youth organization of your choice. To sign the register book online go to www.andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Larry Wooton

March 11, 1938 - January 6, 2007