Lewis Caton

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28 at First United Methodist Church for Lewis Dale Caton of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Caton, 82, died onSaturday , March 24, 2018 in Artesia.

Pastor Monty Leavell will officiate at the services.

Dale was born on February 14, 1936 in Clovis, N.M.; the son of Wilford Barnie Caton and Clemmie Norene Thomas Caton. On June 28, 1959 he married Lynell Burns in Alamogordo, N.M. She preceded him in death on Oct. 27, 2007. He came to Artesia in 2007 from Hobbs, N.M.

He attended the University of New Mexico, where he played basketball for the Lobos. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of New Mexico in 1959 and 1963.

He taught Physical Education and coached at Carlsbad, N.M. for 8 years. He then taught and was the head basketball coach at New Mexico Junior College from 1968 to 1977. After retiring from the coaching position, he became the Director of Physical Education, Intramurals and Intercollegiate Athletics. In 1982, Dale became the Assistant Superintendent of the Lovington Public Schools. He retired from his education career in 1991, ending a 32 year career in education. In 1993, he and his wife moved to Hobbs and became the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Hobbs.

While in Hobbs, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was very active in the church choir, serving on committees and teaching Sunday School. After moving to Artesia he became an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Artesia. He was an avid golfer and loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and other activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Survivors include a son Crit Caton of Artesia; a daughter Lynn Fanning of Artesia; grandchildren Kirstin Wachter, Koby Caton, Kyle Sundheimer, and Kaitlyn Rand; great-grandchildren Ella rand and Emrie Rand.

Service