I. Bizzell

I. J. Bizzell, age 80, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 12, 2003. I. J. was born on June 5, 1922, at Geronimo, Oklahoma. He came to the Dexter area as a small child. He attended Spring Mound Valley School east of Dexter. Two of his dear teachers were Inez Crockett and Carol White. On occasion I.J. still visited Mr. White of Roswell. I. J. served in the U.S. armed forces in Japan from 1945-1946. After returning from Japan, he farmed in the Dexter area as well as in Lea County. After hanging up his irrigation shovel, he joined the work force at the refinery from the time it was known as Malco, then Numex, Conoco and now Navajo Refining Company. He worked there for 31 12 years before retiring in 1984. After retiring, he enjoyed fishing and morning coffee with his friends. I. J. married Fay Green on February 5, 1944. They recently celebrated their 59th anniversary. He was an ordained Deacon in the Baptist Church and served for 44 years. I. J. was preceded in death by 5 sisters and 3 brothers. He is survived by his wife Fay, one brother, Jim Bizzell of Roswell; son Bill Bizzell and his wife Stacey of Clovis, New Mexico; daughter Gloria Toone and her husband David of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Brock Bizzell, Natalie Bizzell, Lindsey Davis, Matt Davis, Jason Toone, Cameron Toone, Morgan Toone, Kimberly Huttanus, and Buddy Huttanus; a very dear army buddy and his wife Roy and Gerty Folkerts of Anamosa, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will be at Terpening Son Mortuary from 5:00 to 7:00 on Friday evening, March 14th. Funeral services will be held at West Main Baptist Church on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers are Kevin Cain, Dan Cogar, Robert Duncan, Randy Elkins, Dean Howard, Leroy Howard, Russell Leonard, Randy Pitts and Scott Pitts. Honorary pallbearers are Don Bennett, Jim Bristow, Wayne Durham, Joe Durand, Dr. Frederick French, John Guthrie, Harvey Howard, Steve Huttanus, Virgil Johnson, Bernie Leverett, Cecil Mauldin, Mike Panzer, Leo Pennington, Don Ragland, Shawn Stufflebean, Dr. Owen C. Taylor, and all members of the West Main Baptist Church. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the West Main Baptist Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 242 - Artesia, N.M. 88211.