John Azel Nance
February 15, 1930 — June 20, 2017
John Azel Nance, 87, of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Christ Community United Methodist Church, Marion, conducted by Pastor Becky High. Private committal services will take place at a later date at Beevers Cemetery in Forrest, New Mexico. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.
John was born February 15, 1930, in Forrest, New Mexico, the son of George William “Bill” and Fannie (Hinton) Nance. On August 11, 1951, in Forrest, New Mexico, he was united in marriage to Mavis Hill. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. John worked as an elementary principal for 30 years in Lovington, New Mexico. On his ranch in New Mexico, John owned and operated a Black Angus cow/calf operation. He was a member of the Christ Community United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge, both in Marion. For 20 years he was a member of Boys Scouts of America, serving as a Scout Master and later as a Board member. He also was a lifetime member of the Lions Club.
John and Mavis were Nomads, traveling all over the United States for this Methodist organization. Through the years John enjoyed boating, water sports, and he adored children, often being called the “Pied-piper”. Traveling in their motorhome, John and Mavis visited 48 states.
Left to cherish loving memories of John are his wife of nearly 66 years, Mavis Nance; daughter, Susan (Joe) Briley of Anamosa; sister, Mary Margaret Sours of Forrest, New Mexico; several grandchildren including, Sara Briley and Jake (Rachel) Briley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael John Nance; daughter, Kyla DeAnn Nance-Marrs; and brother, George Edward “Bill” Nance.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made in John’s memory to: The Ranches, 6209 Hendrix Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110, at www.theranches.org or by calling 505-881-3363.
John was born February 15, 1930, in Forrest, New Mexico, the son of George William “Bill” and Fannie (Hinton) Nance. On August 11, 1951, in Forrest, New Mexico, he was united in marriage to Mavis Hill. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. John worked as an elementary principal for 30 years in Lovington, New Mexico. On his ranch in New Mexico, John owned and operated a Black Angus cow/calf operation. He was a member of the Christ Community United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge, both in Marion. For 20 years he was a member of Boys Scouts of America, serving as a Scout Master and later as a Board member. He also was a lifetime member of the Lions Club.
John and Mavis were Nomads, traveling all over the United States for this Methodist organization. Through the years John enjoyed boating, water sports, and he adored children, often being called the “Pied-piper”. Traveling in their motorhome, John and Mavis visited 48 states.
Left to cherish loving memories of John are his wife of nearly 66 years, Mavis Nance; daughter, Susan (Joe) Briley of Anamosa; sister, Mary Margaret Sours of Forrest, New Mexico; several grandchildren including, Sara Briley and Jake (Rachel) Briley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael John Nance; daughter, Kyla DeAnn Nance-Marrs; and brother, George Edward “Bill” Nance.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made in John’s memory to: The Ranches, 6209 Hendrix Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110, at www.theranches.org or by calling 505-881-3363.
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