Berwyn "Buddy" Hand

Berwyn "Buddy" Hand, 90, of Julian Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. Visitation will be 10:00 AM - noon, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2015, 2:00 PM, at Emmanuel Primative Baptist Church, 607 N. 9th Street, with Elder Daryl Hand officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Buddy Hand was born in Dill City, Oklahoma and grew up in the vicinity of Loop, Texas. He served in the infantry of the US Army and was inducted in June of 1943 and honorably discharged in January 1946. While serving our country, Buddy received the Distinguished Unit Badge of the Asiatic Pacific Theater, the Victory Medal of the Philippine Liberation, and the Good Conduct Medal. He moved to Carlsbad for employment in the potash industry and made Carlsbad his home where he had many friends and family members. It was in Carlsbad that Buddy met his wife, Gwen and raised his family. Buddy was ordained as an Elder in the Primitive Baptist Church in 1965. He served the Lord for 50 years as a pastor in the Primitive Baptist churches including Carlsbad, El Paso, Hobbs, and Brownfield. Buddy retired from Amex Chemical in 1990 and then gave his full attention to preaching the gospel in surrounding areas. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gwen Hand; brothers: Eric, Gerald, R.C., Ralph, twin brother, Merwyn and sister, Madge Tate. Survivors are his sons: Daryl W. Hand and wife, Annelle of Tucson, AZ, Tommy Hand of Las Cruces, NM; five grandchildren: James Hand and wife, Stacie, Tim Hand, Amanda Hand, Tanner Hand and Sami Hand; two great-grandchildren: Ryan Maki and Alexis Hand and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Tommy Hand, Tim Hand, James Hand, Tanner Hand, Atanacio Lopez, Jr. and Atanacio Lopez, III. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.