Joe T. Dees

Joe T. Dees, 1928-2014
Joe T. Dees, 85, of Farmington went home to his Heavenly Father on May 13, 2014. Joe was known as the local "Culligan Man". He was born October 4, 1928 in Paducah, Texas to William and Josephine Dees. In 1950, he met Bonnie Jones in Arizona. It was love at first sight and they married 9 days later. Joe moved to Aztec in 1954 with his wife and 2 year old daughter. By 1961 they had a total of 4 girls and 1 boy. "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them (children)." Psalm 127:5. He owned and operated the Farmington Culligan franchise for 43 years. He was a past member of the Lions Club and the Elks Club. He was a longtime member of the Eastside Church of Christ. Joe was preceded in death by his father and mother; 2 brothers and 3 sisters; and 2 son-in-laws.He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Dees; his loving children, Debra Yeager of Farmington, Gayl Falconer of Tulsa, OK, Kathy Dees of Farmington, Cherie Swarts of Farmington and Bill (Kellee) Dees of Aztec; his brothers, Harold Dees of Tucson, AZ, Milan Dees of Redlands, CA, Earl Dees of Douglas, AZ; his sister, Marylois Mortenson of Silver City, NM; 7 grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Wedemeyer, Kellie Arnold, Jeremy (Leslie) Swarts, Justin (Christina) Swarts, Nickie Velasquez, Jessie (Zac) DeHerrera, Krista (Alex) Reibli; 16 great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Kylan, Devin, Paige, Brooke, Nathan, Matthew, Tyler, Riley, Cameron, Lane, Jacob, Devin, Rickie, Ryker and Zoey. Visitation and Services will be held at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday, May 16, 2014, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 17, 2014. Interment will take place at Memory Gardens, with a reception to follow at Eastside Church of Christ, 2012 Huntzinger Av., Farmington. Pallbearers are: Jeremy Swarts, Nathan Swarts, Justin Swarts, Cameron Swarts, Alex Riebli, Bill Dees, Jacob Arenas and Robin Schmittel. Honorary pallbearers will be: Harold Dees, Milan Dees, Earl Dees, Zac DeHerrera, Matthew Swarts, Devin Carmona, Devin Arnold, Kevin Wedemeyer and Kylan Wedemeyer. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Home Helpers, especially, Amanda King and to NW New Mexico Hospice (PMS), especially Verna Tsingine, for all their loving care and attention to Joe. Arrangements are with Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., in Farmington, (505)325-8688.