Fred Funk

Memorial Services are scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, at the Eddy County Fairgrounds Show Ring for Melvin Frederick Funk of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Funk died Saturday, August 25, 2012 at his home.

David Brunson will officiate at the services. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons, Donnie Garthwaite, Joel Bell, Arnold Taylor, Billy Landrie, Bill Hefner, Dwight Sharp, Harold Huntsman, Charlie Mulcock and Gilbert Orosco.

Melvin Frederick Funk was born June 16, 1940 to Mary Tempie Southard and Joseph Kersey Funk. He was the youngest of 8 children. He grew up in Cottonwood and attended school in Cottonwood and Lake Arthur. Fred graduated from Lake Arthur High School where he was an AllState Quarterback for the Panthers.

He married Verna Day Derrick, October 13, 1961 in Lake Arthur, New Mexico. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2011.

Fred was father to four girls. He and Verna raised their family on the James Funk Ranch west of Artesia. They moved to the Cottonwood area to farm from 19791986. In 1988 he and Verna opened Sun Country Garden Center in Artesia.

Fred was an active leader in 4H and FFA for 30 years. He served on the Eastern New Mexico State Fair board for 15 years and was the Executive Director for 4 of those years. He was instrumental in founding the Eddy County Youth Supporters, an organization that was founded to reward the young people of Eddy County for their hard work with their 4H and FFA projects. Fred served on the boards of the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District and the Artesia Alfalfa Growers.

Fred was an avid supporter of his grandchildren in all of their endeavors. He was their biggest fan at each sporting event.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers James and JK Funk, Jr.

Fred is survived by his wife Verna of the home daughters Karen Conklin and husband Greg of Cottonwood, Beth Williams and husband Charlie, Joni Bledsoe and husband Neal, Kathy Beauregard and husband Jeff all of Artesia grandchildren Lance Allison, Derek Lara and Jessica Conklin, Jeremy Williams, Steffani Malone, Alyssa and Ryan Bledsoe, Cody and Clay Donaghe, Kaden, Korbyn and Jessica Beauregard, and Justine Carmichael and greatgrandchildren Kaelyn, Paityn and Klanclie Conklin, Jason and Matthew Malone, And Adisynn Carmichael brother Garland Funk sisters Wanda Whatley, Bettie Redden, Joan Grassie and Barbara Shelton motherinlaw Savannah Derrick and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eddy County Youth Supporters.