Stanley Utterback

Funeral services will be held for Stanley J. Utterback, 95, originally of Hagerman and recently of Roswell, at 2pm on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, NM with Pastor Steven Deutch conducting the service. Burial will follow in Hagerman Cemetery. Stanley passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, in his home at La Villa Assisted Living. Stanley was born Nov. 5, 1917 to W. E. and Hope Utterback in Hagerman, NM. He was a life-long resident of Hagerman and a member of First Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Hagerman High School in 1934, and from New Mexico State University with a degree in Agriculture in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, receiving the Bronze Star with two bronze oak leaf clusters, and remained a Captain in the US Army Reserves until 1952. Stanley married Vivian Hadley in 1945. Together Stan and Vivian farmed in the Pecos Valley for 40 years and raised 5 children. Stanley participated in many school and church activities, which included coaching Little League baseball teams and girls’ softball teams. He was also active in numerous civic organizations including the Hagerman Municipal School District’s Board of Education, American Legion Post 43, Hagerman Irrigation Association, Hagerman-Dexter Conservancy Board, Farmer’s Co-op Association, Chaves County J.O.Y. Centers, Inc.’s Board of Directors, Crime Stoppers Board and Farm Bureau. After retiring from his life as a farmer, he maintained his competitive spirit by challenging friends to a pool game, playing Bingo, medaling in Senior Olympics, and rooting for the Dallas Cowboys. Those left to cherish his memory are his five children, Barbara Harmon and her husband, Bill of Lakewood, WA; Nancy Hodge and her husband, Jay of Ridgecrest, CA; Jim Utterback of Huntsville, AL; Marilyn Jensen and her husband, Tom of Dexter, NM; Frances Huffman and her husband, Wayne of Boise, ID; ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and one brother, Robert Utterback and his wife, Edna of Hagerman, NM. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Utterback, who passed away Aug. 19, 1994, two siblings, Tom Utterback and Ruth Brown, one grandson, Randall Apodaca, and a great grandchild. Stan the Man, Uncle Bud, Papa, Daddy, Pop will be loved and missed by all of those whose lives he touched and who in return touched his. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Stanley Utterback

November 5, 1917 - November 14, 2012