Kenneth Earle, Jr. age 87, died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Funeral Services was held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Amistad United Methodist Church in Amistad, New Mexico with Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Clayton, officiating. Burial followed in the Hayden Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

Kenneth Earle, Jr. Was born on June 26, 1923 in Goodwell, Oklahoma to Kenneth Earle, Sr. and Etta Valora (Stockton) Earle. A lifelong resident of the Amistad-Hayden community, Kenneth married Betty Ann (Bell) Earle on June 7, 1947 in Clayton, New Mexico and she preceded him in death on May 6, 2002. He later married Alice (Parman) Batley on July 5, 2003 at their home near Amistad. Kenneth served 2 years in the US Navy during WWII and then returned to Union County where he farmed and ranched most of his life. Kenneth also worked for the state highway department and later for the Union County Road Department for 18 years. Kenneth served as County Commissioner, served on the board of directors for Union County General Hospital in Clayton, New Mexico, the Dan Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, New Mexico and the Soil and Water Conservation Department as well as serving on the Amistad School Board. Kenneth was a charter member and one of the founders of the Hayden Rodeo Club. His favorite hobby was raising registered horses. In addition to his first wife and parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by 4 brothers; Orval Earle, Edward Earle, Walter Lee Earle and Max Dwane Earle.

SURVIVORS:

WIFE: Alice Earle of Amistad, New Mexico and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

3 DAUGHTERS: Kaye Pugh and her husband Warren of Weatherford, Texas, Elaine Mungia and her husband John of Stratford, Texas and Lois Girard and her husband David of Nara Visa, New Mexico.

2 SONS: Norman Earle and his wife Leann of Clayton, New Mexico and Leland Earle and his wife Danelle of Logan, New Mexico.

13 GRANDCHILDREN: Weston Pugh, Wyatt Pugh and his wife Kellie, Krissi Smith and her husband Stephen, Kathleen Myers and her husband Michael, Duane Mungia and his wife Lisa, Bryan Mungia and his wife Kendra, RaChelle Long and her husband Justin, Gil Girard, Adam Girard and his wife Jessica, Tiffany Girard, Brandon Earle, Kenneth Earle and Traci Franklin and her husband Clay.

21 great-grandchildren

1 BROTHER: Harrison Earle of Tucumcari, New Mexico.

1 SISTER: Wanda Smith of Clayton, New Mexico.

MEMORIALS: The family suggests that memorials be made to the Weatherford Christian School, 111 E. Columbia, Weatherford, Texas 76086, The First Baptist Church, 223 Oak Street, Clayton, New Mexico or to the charity of your choice.