Cecil Laman

Cecil "PaPa" Laman, 90, died Monday, October 5, 2015 at home in Artesia, New Mexico.

Laman was born June 3, 1925 in Mason County, Texas, the son of W.J. (Willy) and Lou Edith Brown Laman. He was married to Frankie Opal "Billie" Martin on February 24, 1945. She preceded him on December 17, 2008.
During the depression, his family of eleven moved from Texas in search of the land of milk and honey, ultimately settling in Cottonwood, NM in about 1933. Laman was a lifelong mechanic having started his career at age 17 with Guy Chevrolet. In 1955, he opened City Garage in Artesia and later worked at CLM Transportation/Jim's Water Service. After retiring two separate times, he traveled the country with wife Billie in their RV. He spent the last 27 years driving to and from Penasco, NM where he worked on ranch equipment and maintained Volunteer Fire Department vehicles for Penasco, Dunken, Elk and Rio Felix. He drove more than 500,000 miles over the nearly three-decades and was always happiest when he was headed to the mountains.

Laman was preceded in death by his wife Billie of 63 years; his parents; brothers Aubrey Laman, Roy Laman and Grover Laman; sister Gladys Laman; and grandson Brannon Lynn Clark.
Laman served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, bus coordinator and sang in the church choir at Centre Avenue Baptist Church. He was currently a member of Cavalry Baptist Church and a regular visitor to the Artesia San Pedro Nursing Home and Assisted Living Center where he checked on friends and strangers alike.

Surviving loved ones include daughter Margaret Laman Clark of Artesia; son Ronnie Laman of Artesia; brother Barney Laman of Chico, California; brother Vernon Laman and wife Idella of Artesia, brother Dub Laman of Artesia; sister Hazel Keesee Brown of Comanche, Texas; sister Loma Ranne of Llano, Texas; sister Betty Pelts of San Marcos, Texas; sister-in-law Nila Martin of Artesia; sister-in-law Betty Ann Martin of Henderson, Nevada; grandson Dera Clark and wife Donna of Norman, Oklahoma; grandson B.G. Clark and wife Debra of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter Michele Robison of Artesia; granddaughter Robin Dunnavant and husband Ronnie of Artesia; great-grandchildren Jennings Clark and Cooper Clark of Norman, Oklahoma, Brannon Clark and Bryce Clark of Dallas, Texas, Miranda Robison, Jacob Robison, Jayson Robison, Daniel Laman, Lucas Kern, Faith Dunnavant, Taylor Johnson and Cierra Dunnavant, all of Artesia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be Wednesday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm with family receiving visitors from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Terpening & Son Mortuary. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, October 8, at Faith Baptist Church. Pastor Rick Smith will officiate the services supported by Pastor Michael Elliott with burial following at Woodbine Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dera Clark, B.G. Clark, Jennings Clark, Daniel Laman, Brannon Clark, Cooper Clark, Bryce Clark and Ronnie Dunnavant. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tim Jennings, Gerald Wiggins, Jim Ellett, Jimmy Olguin, Killian Nettesheim, Dennis Tidwell, Bernard Cleve, Jay Powell, Alfredo Gomez, Freddy Gomez, Hank Harding and Jimmy Van Winkle along with his nephews and the Yucca Cowbells.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Service

Faith Baptist Church
401 S. 20th
Artesia, NM  88210
Thursday, October 8, 2015
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210