Alan Needham

Alan Needham was born on January 27th, 1953 in Artesia, NM to Harold Douglas Needham and Minnie Naomi Sallee. Alan passed away on November 6th, 2024 at the age of 71.

Alan was very active with 4-H Rodeo and the Eddy County Fair. In 1989, Alan along with other parents started the Young Riders 4-H Rodeo Club. Then in 1990, Alan joined the Eddy County Fair Board. During 1996-97 he served as Fair Board President. After that, he ran the Fair Rodeo for 5 years retiring in 2003.

"Dude" as he was nicknamed at Navajo Refining Company, had a long successful career. He started in January 1977 at the bottom of the line in Operations. He was able to work his way up to Division Foreman until he retired in March 2006. Navajo Refining asked him back to work contract and he worked for 10 more years until 2016. He made many good lifelong friends at Navajo.

Alan was an avid hunter. He had the opportunity to hunt in Canada, Michigan, Texas and Africa. He brought home a bear from Canada, white-tail deer from Michigan, Nilgai from King Ranch in Texas and 11 different animals from Africa. He also enjoyed quail, pheasant and dove hunting.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dean.

He is survived by his wife Debbie of 49 years, son Heath Needham wife Joy of Melbourne, Florida, daughter Melissa Thompson of Artesia and sister Glynn Fenk of Artesia. Grandchildren Braeden, Corbin and Mia Needham of Melbourne, Florida and Ty and Khloe Thompson of Artesia.

Donations can be made to MD Anderson, St. Jude's Children Hospital, NM Baptist Children's Home, Portales, NM 88130 or a charity of your choice.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Alan to be determined at a later date.