Bobby V. Carman

COL Bobby Vernon Carman, USA, (ret.), 83, of Farmington, passed into eternity on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. He was born May 23, 1932, in Midland, Texas, to U.V. and Edith Carman as the oldest of nine children.He served his country for 31 years in the New Mexico Army National Guard and was honored and promoted to brigadier general at retirement. He was the commander in charge of leading the effort to resolve the hostile Santa Fe prison riot in 1980.He graduated from Wink High School (Texas), in 1951, and played football for Texas Western at El Paso on a football scholarship, playing in the Sun Bowl twice. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business in 1955. He started working for El Paso Natural Gas Company in October 1954 and transferred to Farmington in 1957. He worked for El Paso Natural Gas for 34 years as a warehouse supervisor and then contracted with Williams Field Service. Bobby was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Farmington and raised all of his children to have knowledge and belief in Jesus Christ. He was a New Mexico Athletics Association football referee for 30 years and was recognized by FHS Hall of Fame for his many years of service. He was inducted into the Texas Western Hall of Fame for his football achievements. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, fishing, coaching YAFL football, spending time with his family and was an avid Dallas Cowboy and Texas Longhorns fan. He is survived by his wife, Betty, of 63 years, and his four children, Linda Dean (Randy), Beverly Hoppe (Bill), Marian Wimsatt (Randy) and Keith Carman (Leslie). His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Kevin Donohue (Ashley), Adam Wimsatt (Deanne), Kari Thomas, Tammy Jones (Josh), Matthew Hoppe (Jordana), Andrew Hoppe (Lucia), Edie Wimsatt, Luke Wimsatt and Amanda Carman; step-grandchildren, Kris Dean, Josh Dean (Kristina) and Aubrie West (Shawn); great-grandchildren, Allie and Owen Jones, Brooklin, Rivers and Owen Dean, Logan Donohue, Luke Matthew Hoppe and Milo West; and two more great-granddaughters on the way. He is also survived by brothers, Charles Carman (Barbara), Dale Carman (Diane), Ed Carman (Sherry); sisters, Joyce Phillips, Laverne Rascoe, Wanda New (Harland), Sharran Bannister (Jim) and Cindy Westfall (Bronc); and 24 nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today, Jan. 21, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington. A private family burial with military honors will be in Memory Gardens in Farmington prior to a celebration service of Bobby's life at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 211 W. 20th St. in Farmington with Pastor Steve Ballew officiating. Bobby's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.