Vernon Laman

Vernon M. "Benham" Laman

At age 97, Vernon "Benham" Laman of Artesia, New Mexico passed away on December 9, 2018.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Woodbine Cemetery with Ty Houghtaling officiating.

Memorial Services will be at a later date at First Baptist Church in Artesia, New Mexico.

Vernon was born June 28, 1921 in Mason County, Texas. He was the fourth born of eleven children to W.J. and Lou Edith (Brown) Laman.

The family moved to New Mexico - the land of milk and honey-in 1933 where they eventually settled in the Cottonwood area.

He entered the Air Force on his 21st birthday in 1942 for 3 years 2 months and 27 days. After the service he married Idella Busby in Roswell, New Mexico on July 26, 1947.

Vernon worked as a mechanic and farmer. He then owned and operated Laman Trucking for 35 years-transporting alfalfa hay from the Pecos Valley to the Texas Hill Country. An excellent horseman and teamster, he realized the lifelong dream of raising miniature mules and training them to pull a wagon. He built a wagon using a $20 VW carcass fitted with a wagon seat he had ridden on as an infant. With this team and wagon, he collected many trophies from parades in New Mexico and Texas until he was 85.

Throughout his life, he was always interested in nature, hunting, music and the Spanish language. He dearly loved introducing his grandchildren to every animal at the zoo.

He had lots of friends in the Pecos Valley, Junie Kruger of San Antonio, Texas, and James Wayne Howell of Seven Rivers, New Mexico.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years Idella of Artesia, New Mexico; one son Roger Laman of Artesia, daughters Pamela (Terry) Stovall of Clovis, New Mexico, Debra Laman of Artesia and Terri (Marty) White of Amarillo, Texas. Five grandchildren; Jodi Stovall of Lodi, California, Jill Stovall of Clovis, New Mexico, Jennifer (Cole) Bartlett of Windsor, Colorado, Stuart White of Amarillo, Texas, Marcus (Chelsea) White of Grapevine, Texas and one great granddaughter Savanna Bartlett of Windsor. Also surviving are sisters Hazel Brown of Comanche, Texas, Loma Ranne of Llano, Texas and Betty Pelts of San Marcos, Texas and numerous nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents W.J. and Lou Edith Laman, six brothers Aubrey, Roy, Barney, Grover, Cecil, Dub, and one sister Gladys.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at San Pedro Nursing Home in Artesia, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Baptist Children's Home in Portales, New Mexico or a charity of your choice.

Service

Graveside

Woodbine Cemetery
200 W. Hermosa
Artesia, NM  88210
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

New Mexico Baptist Children's Home
2200 S Avenue I
Portales, NM  88130