Reese Carson

Hope, New Mexico resident Reese L. Carson passed away peacefully at Lovelace Regional Hospital on April 17, 2025. Reese was born on April 21, 1962 in Orange County, California. A few years later, Reese's family returned to Artesia, New Mexico, where he remained until he graduated from Artesia High School in 1980. After graduation, Reese earned a bachelor's degree in human resource management from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Reese's education did not all occur in the classroom. Growing up, Reese learned many valuable lessons working on the family ranch, at Ivan's Texaco and as a hand in the oilfield for Yates Petroleum. Those lessons would serve him well later in life.

After graduating from New Mexico State, Reese accepted a position with the Wichita, Kansas-based Federal Land Bank. The early 1980s were a tough time for Farmers and the Federal Land Bank held a portfolio in Colorado's San Luis Valley that was riddled with bad loans. Management sent a young Reese Carson to the bank's Monte Vista, Colorado office to help clean up the portfolio. While the tough decisions Reese had to make in Monte Vista were not always popular, area farmers recognized him as reasonable and fair.

Building upon his experience in Colorado, Reese accepted a position as an ag lender with First Interstate Bank in Porterville and later Fresno, California. He worked in Colorado for several years until he received a call from Ben Haines asking if he would be interested in returning to Las Cruces to work for First National Bank of Dona Ana-an opportunity he could not refuse. With his young family in tow, Reese returned to Las Cruces where he worked in banking for nearly twenty years, including as the President of First American Bank - Mesilla and Compass Bank's Las Cruces banking center. Reese also worked at State National Bank with his friend and mentor, Jim Volk, for several years. After retiring from banking, Reese sold residential and commercial real estate for several years with Steinborn & Associates in Las Cruces.

During his career, Reese served on many community and industry-related boards including stints as president of Families & Youth, Inc., the Southern New Mexico Multiple Listing Service and the Las Cruces Association of Realtors. Reese also served several years as a member of the New Mexico Border Authority during the term of then-governor Susanna Martinez.

Although he worked hard, Reese never sacrificed relationships with family and friends. Nothing was more important to Reese than his relationship with his son Reese II. Nothing made Reese happier than sharing important times Reese II, whether it was showing a championship goat, working cattle, hunting deer or elk or playing golf. The strength of their bond cannot be overstated.

Later in life Reese successfully fought and beat cancer. It was an experience that nobody should endure but that he handled with courage, grace and dignity. After beating cancer, Reese devoted himself to managing the family ranch with his brothers and following Reese II's life and career as a golf professional.

Reese was predeceased by his parents, Joel and Eireen Carson, his brother Stephen Messmer and his sister, Michelle Matthews. He is survived by his son, Reese Carson II, his wife Robyn Carson. Also surviving Reese are his brothers Ron Carson and wife Ann and Joel Carson and wife Karen. Finally, he is survived by his nephews, Jake Matthews, Joel Carson IV and Chris Carson.

The family is planning a memorial service and celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Chase Foundation or the Lea County Museum.