Obituary - Roy Lee Robertson, 77

Roy Lee Robertson was born January 22, 1926, one of five children, to Hugh Holland and Lola May (Hagerty) Robertson in Dalhart, Texas. Roy passed away November 10, 2003 in Eads. The Robertson family moved to Rosebud, New Mexico in 1930. It was here that Roy started his education, later transferring to Hayden, New Mexico and finally attending high school at Clayton, New Mexico where he was an active member of the Clayton Future Farmers of America. It was during this time that Roy and his brothers Earl and Howard enjoyed their childhood. You never knew what the three boys would do. For instance, one Sunday in 1929 the family loaded into an open Model A car to go to church. During the trip, Roy’s mother hit a bump in the road; the car door flew open and out went Roy. Pulling the door back shut, Roy’s brother Earl didn’t say anything. A little way down the road, Roy’s mother noticed Roy missing, stopped the car asking the boys where Roy was. Finally, Earl told her Roy had fell out, so they got back in the car and heading down the road they had just traveled looking for Roy. Just a little way back they found Roy sitting in the road crying, with all the excitement they decided just to go on home.

In 1943, Roy boarded a train in Nara Visa, New Mexico with the family’s cattle and headed to Colorado. His family would come later. He unloaded the cattle at Chivington and drove them the rest of the way to the ranch Northwest of Chivington in the Rush Creek Community. It was here he met his bride of 55 years, Alma Louise Downs. Roy and Alma were united in marriage on April 24, 1948 at Clayton, New Mexico. After their marriage, they made their home in the Rush Creek Community. In 1949 they welcomed into their family a daughter, Janie Louise. During this time, Roy helped establish and was a member of the Eads Roping Club. Roy enjoyed his horses and roping. In 1950, after the Chivington ranch sold, and the Sand Flats Ranch at Aragon, New Mexico was purchased; Roy moved his family back to New Mexico. While living at Aragon, Howard Lee (Butch) joined the family on July 30, 1951. Roy and Alma were members of the Presbyterian Church of Apache Creek, New Mexico, where in 1953 Roy was baptized. In 1956, Roy and his family relocated to McClave, Colorado where he was employed by Reyher Trucking and Farms. While at McClave Roy and Alma made many friends. Roy was an active member of the McClave Booster Club and helped with the establishment of the first athletic field. Before leaving the McClave area, Roy was awarded a lifetime membership into the McClave Booster Club.

In 1961, Roy purchased some farm and ranch land in the Rush Creek Community, moving his family one last time. On January 24, 1962 in Eads, Pamela Sue joined the family. During his lifetime, Roy achieved many things. He was elected Kiowa County Commissioner from 1970 to 1982, serving as board member, Vice President and Chairman of the Board. During his time as commissioner, he was appointed by then Governor John Vanderhoff in 1975 to the Southern Man Power Planning Council, providing advice, counsel and recommendations to the Governor concerning employment. He also served on the Federal Land Bank Board, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Management Board, Chivington Grazing Association Board, a member of the Bent-Prowers Cattle and Horse Growers Association, member of the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Posse and was a 4-H leader for several years.

For 25 years the Robertson family would travel to a pre-determined location every year, usually somewhere in the mountains of New Mexico, for a family reunion. Roy looked forward to this every year, only missing the reunion held this past year due to his health. Roy enjoyed telling the escapades and ornery tricks he and his brothers used to partake in, but Roy’s greatest joy was his family. He was always ready to greet and play with his grandkids and great grandkids; they were his pride and joy. Roy traveled to many football, basketball, wrestling and baseball games to watch them play.

Roy farmed and ranched in the Rush Creek Community until his death. He is survived by his loving wife Alma of the family home; children, Janie (Tom) Swopes, Butch (Brenda) Robertson, Pam (Rod) Cole all of Chivington; grandkids, Michelle (Richard) Koppelman of Burden, Kansas, Tommy (Melissa) Swopes of Holly, Heath Robertson of Eads, Clint (Lani) Robertson of Kit Carson, Lesa Cole and Vance Cole of Chivington: great grandkids: Zach and Josh Koppelman, Taylor and Kennedy Swopes, Blake Robertson, and Madison and Riley Robertson; brothers Earl of Alamogordo, New Mexico and Howard (Pauline) Robertson of Nara Visa, New Mexico, sisters, Lizzie May (LeRoy) Hieronymus of Belen, New Mexico and Hulcne (Leon) Reynolds of Duncan, Arizona; sister-in-law Ruth Koch of Eads, along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Lola Robertson, eight brothers-in-law and 6 sisters-in-law.

Services for Roy were held on Friday, November 14, 2003 at the United Methodist Church in Eads with Pastors Lee Brown and Galen Burnett officiating. Burial followed at the Eads Cemetery. Betty Crow played the organ and Charlotte Woelk accompanied her on the piano. Tim Weeks, Sylvia Weeks and Kathy Shade were the vocalists, singing "Headin’ for the Last Round-up," "Mansion Over The Hilltop," and "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."

Casket bearers were Merle Shalberg, Gene Priddy, Tom Haskell, Rex Barlow, Kirk Barlow, Larry Michael, Ronnie Brown and Mike Lening. In memory of Roy, contributions can be made to the Weisbrod Hospital Auxiliary. Funeral services were by Brown Funeral Home.