Joe Crispin

Floyd “Joe” Crispin, age 71 a longtime custom harvester in the Fort Sumner valley died February 7, 2008 at his home following an illness. Joe was born May 24, 1936 in Perry, Oklahoma the son of Andrew J. and Geraldine Pearl McCollough-Crispin. He grew up working on the family farm in Oklahoma, at age 15 he went began working full time at a filling station Perry, OK. pumping gas, washing and greasing cars. He later moved to Flint, Michigan where he worked for the General Motors factory for many years. Joe moved to Kansas where his jobs included concrete finisher, heavy equipment operator, dirt mover, and other odd jobs including a wheat season operating a combine. In 1958 he moved to Fort Sumner, NM and worked for the local Dodge and Plymouth dealership as a mechanic. While living Fort Sumner he met Bernice Anaya, they were married on February 11, 1961. While in Fort Sumner Joe worked for Sam Sanders Gravel Pit, was a part-time truck driver, he also worked for Cortese Feed Store, Head Farms, and worked road construction jobs. He also worked for a time with Allison Drilling as a mechanic and E.E. Anderson Gravel Pit. For several years Joe worked as an equipment operator for the Bureau of Reclamation and for the Carlsbad Irrigation District for over 10 years. During all these years he also worked days and nights as a custom harvester in the Fort Sumner valley. Joe enjoyed word search puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, watching FOX news, driving around in the Valley and sitting on his porch and wave to everyone who drove by. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Larry Crispin and John Crispin. Survivors include his wife of 46 years Bernice Crispin of the home in Fort Sumner; a son Billy Crispin and wife Jennifer of Winter haven, Florida; three daughters Donna Crispin of Clovis, NM; Wanda Gammill and husband Wayland of Los Lunas, NM; Sandra Bailey and husband Keith of Grand Junction, Colorado; an uncle Raymond McCullough and wife Ella of Stillwater, Oklahoma, four grandchildren and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner with Sister Teresita Garcia and Juan Chavez officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Ricky Casaus, Jesse Casaus, Paul Fischell, Ronnie Gauna, John Winn, David Vansickle, and Paul Gauna. Honorary bearers will include all his coffee drinking buddies. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com