Delmer Cuthbertson

Delmer E. (Cub) Cuthbertson, was born on November 21, 1930 in Winton Wyoming and died in Roswell New Mexico on October 30, 2018 at the age of 87.

Cub was a long-time resident of Artesia New Mexico.

He grew up and spent his early years in Winton which was the site of a company town for the 3 underground coal mines of the Union Pacific Coal Company.

Life in the coal camps of Sweetwater County Wyoming was unique in that the camps were small, close knit and located in direct proximity to the mines.

The population that Cub grew up with was fluid with residents moving to and from the various coal camps as mines opened and closed. It was a population that had a surprising breadth of ethnicities as the mines provided work for many who had immigrated from all over Europe. That small town had within its population's families from Spain, England, Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, and other parts of the USA.

The work and life were hard in many ways. First, in that time, it was dangerous in the underground mines. Cub lost an older brother due to an underground accident. Cub's father died ultimately of coal black-lung. Secondly it was hard in that work was highly variable depending on the price of coal and the needs of the railroad and other markets for that coal. That put economic stress on all as they would always be worried about stable work. Only on those days that there would be work was a sign posted outside of the mine office announcing there would be "Work To-Morrow". Many days there was no sign.

While Winton had a grade school as you became older you had to travel to other coal towns which were larger; such as Reliance Wyoming or Rock Springs. Because of that and changing economics Cub graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1948.

Upon high school graduation he had his mother sign the paperwork for him so that he could enter the Army at 17. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and originally began his career in Radio School. After time finding that he was not well suited for that he transferred into the fire-fighting brigade at the Naval Air Station in Dallas Texas.

While there in Dallas he met a cute young nurse trainee, named Dolores Dudensing who he fell in love with. That began a courtship and marriage that lasted over 67 years. That is the reason why he always called Dolores his "Yellow Rose of Texas".

On October 24, 1949 he married Dolores in Sagerton, Texas. Upon his discharge from the Army they lived in Stamford Texas and then in 1953 moved to Artesia for work.

In Artesia he worked a variety of jobs including as a butcher at Nelson's and then for Southern Union Gas. He then got a job for Continental Oil at the Artesia Refinery where he worked until he retired from Navajo Refining after 39 years. He worked a variety of jobs at the plant such on the gas furnace, the shop, the lab and on the loading rack itself.

Cub was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Artesia New Mexico serving in a variety of elected roles. He came to become a Lutheran through the influence of his mother who was a Swedish Lutheran and his wife who was also a Lutheran.

Cub took both his work at Navajo and his worship and duties at church seriously for "duty" was a hallmark of his personality. If he needed to make a personal change to do his "duty" he would do this quietly and willingly.

Cub enjoyed life and nearly always approached it with a smile and laugh. He was known for that smile and genuine courtesy that he would show to all; and that is part of why he will be truly missed. Even in his last days and hours that courtesy and grace remained undiminished.

Throughout his life he had a variety of interests from reading and traveling and tying trout flies to taking Dolores up to the Inn of the Mountain Gods for a get-away to just going out to various restaurants in Artesia to see and speak with people. He loved people and he seriously regarded what they had to say.

He also loved his family and was a steady influence on them. In 1953 he and Dolores had their only child Gail Ann. Tragically she preceded them in death in August of 1972.

He provided loving care to his wife of 67 years, Dolores, as she preceded him in death in November of 2016.

His father was James Cuthbertson. His mother was Odga Edd Cuthbertson who both preceded him in death.

He had 4 brothers and 1 sister; Andrew, Ray, Harold (known as "Big Cub"), James and Gloria all who also preceded him in death.

He is survived by his nieces Marilyn Kay McGonagill Link, Raylene Barber, and Sue Strickland and husband Tim of Rawlins, Wyoming; nephews Michael McGonagill and his wife Candi, and Jim Ainsworth and wife Connie of Rawlins, and cousin Lena Zelinka and husband Bob of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Services for Delmer E. Cuthbertson will be held on Tuesday November 6 at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Artesia. Pallbearers are Mike Shetterly, Ron Friesner, Richard Earenst, Jerry Eickoff, John Fauver and Steve Franklin. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Friesner, Augustine Torres and Roger Jones.

The family would like to thank all of the special caregivers that made his last days pleasant and comfortable.

Memorials if desired can be made to the charity of your choice.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Monday, November 5, 2018
10:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral

Immanuel Lutheran Church
810 W. Washington
Artesia, NM  88210
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Twin Oaks Memorial Park
59 Lake Arthur Highway
Artesia, NM  88210