John Milton "J. M." Poling, III, age 75, died Saturday, January 5, 2019, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Pastor Terrell Jones,  pastor of the Trinity Fellowship Church in Clayton, officiating. Burial followed in the Garcia Plaza Cemetery at the Blue Front Ranch by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

John Milton "J. M." Poling, III was born on January 11, 1943 in Clayton, New Mexico to John Milton Poling, Jr. and Wendla Mae (Robinett) Poling. He went to school in Clapham for eight years and then graduated from Clayton High School before attending New Mexico State University. When he was 21 years old he moved to Wyoming to manage the Poling Ranch and stayed their for a few years and then returned to New Mexico where he ranched in the Sedan area and then worked for High Plains Farms out of Texline for six years. He then managed the O'Neal Ranch for 31 years until he retired. J M's favorite hobby was hunting arrow heads, he loved being out at the Blue Front hunting arrow heads. He was a member of the Rosebud Fire Department for 30 years and served on the REA Board and was on the Farm Service Agency County Committee. J. M. was preceded in death by his parents John Milton Poling, Jr. on April 4, 1979 and Wendla Mae Poling on April 2, 2001, by a daughter; Wendy Lou Poling on March 26, 2000, a grandson that they raised; Chance Milton Poling on July 26, 2010. a sister; Virginia Elaine Harrison on March 28, 1984, 2 brothers; George Poling on August 27, 2001 and Fred C. Poling on December 27, 2002 and a Step-son; Billy Cook on December 24, 2011.

MEMORIALS: The family asks that memorials be made in JM's Memory to the Michael J Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research.

SURVIVORS:

HIS WIFE: Lynda Poling of Clayton, New Mexico.

2 SONS: Travis Poling and his wife Heather of Clayton, New Mexico and Chad Poling and his wife LaRhonda of Amarillo, Texas.

1 STEP-DAUGHTER: Patty Cook of San Angelo, Texas.

6 GRANDCHILDREN: Hannah Poling, Wesley Poling, Tyler Poling, Dalton Poling, Dakota Poling and Copley Poling.

2 BROTHERS: Don Poling and his wife Phyllis of Vega, Texas and Barry Poling and his wife Leann of Texline, Texas.

2 BROTHERS-IN-LAW: Floyd Mosier and his wife Janet of Clayton, New Mexico and Mel Harrison and his wife Diane of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Many nieces and nephews and his best friend Rex.