Leslie Taylor

Private family services will be held for Mr. Leslie Arnold Taylor of Artesia, New Mexico.

It is with great remorse that the family of Arnold Taylor announce his passing Monday, March 23, 2020 at Artesia General Hospital after a short illness.

Rev. Monty Leavell will officiate at the services with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Trent Taylor, Nathan Taylor, Colby Taylor, Andy Davis, John Ross Null, Taylor Null, and Bruce Curlee.

Arnold was born November 26, 1941 in Artesia on the Leslie Martin farm. He was the son of C.A. Taylor and Beulah Taylor. He was a long-time Artesia area resident. He graduated from Artesia High School in 1959. Arnold attended and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University where he attained his Bachelor's Degree in marketing, finance, and accounting in 1964. On August 4,1963 he was married to Verna Jeanne Greer in Hagerman, NM. After marriage they resided in Odessa, TX for 10 years where he was an assistant credit manager for Sears and later became the manager for the City of Odessa Water Department. In 1973 he got to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a farmer in Cottonwood, NM.

He served on the Central Valley Soil and Water Conservation Board for several years as well as the Eddy County Farm Bureau Board where he was featured as an outstanding farmer in the Progressive Farmer magazine. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served on several boards and committees and especially loved his First Door on the Left Sunday School Class. Arnold was a member and Worshipful Master of the Artesia Masonic Lodge No. 28 and also an endowed member of the Hagerman and Felix Lodge No. 29. He was a member of the Valley of Las Cruces Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Shriners International. Arnold was also a member of the Delta Sigma Phi business fraternity.

Arnold and Verna were blessed with two sons, Scott Alan of Dallas, TX, James Brian and wife Jennifer Michelle of Artesia. He was triply blessed with three wonderful grandchildren who were the love of his life, Trenton James, Nathan Ryan, and Brylan Michelle. His favorite past time was attending their many activities.

He was called "stubborn" by some or "set in his ways" but was also a loving and humble man. Their are many stories of hunting with his farm buddies that bhe enjoyed. He was a hard working man growing cotton, alfalfa, small grains, chile, and cucumbers "once." He prided himself in having a clean, good looking farm and countless times he stopped, grabbed his hoe, and walked to the middle of a field to chop one lone weed!

He is preceded in death by his parents, C, A. Taylor and Beulah. Survivors include wife Verna, Scott Taylor and Mikey Abrams of Dallas, Brian and Jennifer of Artesia, and grandchildren Trent Taylor, Nathan Taylor, and Brylan Taylor, brother Dale Taylor and wife Penny of Cottonwood, and sister Barbara Davis and husband Steve of Lubbock, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Shriners Hospital for Children, or the charity of your choice.