E.V. Isbell

E.V. ISBELL
November 30, 1934 - November 20, 2016

E.V. Isbell, 81, of Kirtland passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at Lifecare Center of Farmington. E.V. was born to Elbert V. Isbell and Hester Rhoten Isbell on November 30, 1934 in Springtown, Texas where he spent much of his childhood. His family later moved to western Oklahoma where the family farmed. E.V. attended school in Warren, Oklahoma and Altus Jr. College in Altus, Oklahoma.

He worked for White's Auto-Store in Wichita Falls, Texas until the rumor of the oil and gas boom in the San Juan Basin caught his attention. He went to work for Halliburton Services in 1956 and came to Farmington, New Mexico.

There he met Dorothy Moore and after a nice courtship he decided that she was the one for him, and they ran away and got married! Oh, my! What a stir! Born to this union were Melody Dawn, Robert Alan and Merry Carol. E.V. loved the adventure of the oil patch, a different place every day. In May, 1957 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving his country in different place every day. In May, 1957 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving his country in Killeen, Texas and Ulm, Germany with the 4th Armored Division, 51st Infantry, was honorably discharged in 1959. Upon his return he resumed working for Halliburton for seventeen years. Since 1956 E.V. was a member of the Northside Church of Christ, serving in many capacities.

In 1973 he decided to join his brother Fred in Denver and learn the mobile home business. So, the family moved to the Denver area while E.V. learned a new business, returning to Farmington in two years, opening Central Mobile Homes for 15 years and then changing to used cars with this son, Robert. E.V. loved a challenge, and late he and Robert built Blast Off car washes in Farmington. It was during this time that he and Dorothy built a new home on their ranch in Kirtland where he could enjoy the horses.

He loved the mountains of Colorado and he waited patiently for deer and elk hunting season. Taking his horses and tent to the high country was a pure joy for him. He enjoyed the family cabin in Pagosa Springs, Colorado at every opportunity, the best part was taking a picnic and drive to Graham Peak, just to look at the scenery, and if you were lucky and had keen vision you could spot some game.

E.V. is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, daughter Melody McCollum and husband Luke, a son, Robert Alan and wife Cam and their three children, Hanna, Halee and Bobby; a daughter Merry Carrol Tubb and husband Scott and their children, Brittany Potter, Brooke Fish and her husband Danny and Brenna Price and husband Kyle. Also surviving are six great grandchildren and many dear friends and colleagues.

Also surviving are brothers, Chester and wife Mary Lou, and Oscar; two sisters Beth Ballard and Martha Davis of Oklahoma, and Fred of Mesa, Arizona, numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Preceding in death were his parents, his sister Minnie Waller, nephews, Randy Dennis, Russell Anderson, Danny Anderson and niece Debbie Dennis.

Funeral services for E.V. are today, Wednesday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Northside Church of Christ, 401 W. 20th St., in Farmington with Tim Driver officiating. Interment will follow at the Kirtland/Fruitland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Monte Strickland, Charlie Lee, Steve Glenn, Jay Foster, Hunter Lauderback, and D.L. Anderson.

E.V.'s arrangements are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., in Farmington, (505) 325-8688 Should friends desire to send condolences to the family, they may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com