Donald E. "Don" Early

Donald Eugene Early, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on August 31, 2024.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Friday, September 6, 2024 at Emmanuel Gospel Church, Carlsbad NM, with Pastor Danialle Estrada officiating. Interment will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery, in Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

Don was born on October 6, 1939, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Alden Henry and Violet Marie Bump Early. He grew up in Ft. Wayne, IN, and later moved to Carlsbad, NM.

Don served in the US Marine Corps from 1955 to 1962. He was a Petroleum Engineer Tech for the BLM, he retired in February 2005. He was a member of Emmanual Gospel Church of Carlsbad. His hobbies included riding 4 wheelers, camping and playing games with family and friends. Don loved Carlsbad Cavemen football but most of all he was a big Dallas Cowboys fan, win or lose, even though he was known to turn them off if they weren't playing very well.

Don is survived by his wife, Barbara Ruth Early; son, Donald Scott Early and wife, Susan Early; grandson, Christopher Early of Edgewood NM; grandson, Sean Early of Pearl Harbor; stepson, Michael Lee Rice of Godley TX; granddaughter, Michele Lopez and husband, Robert Lopez; two great-grandchildren: Michael and Kristi Lopez of Leander TX; grandson, Michael Lee Rice, II and wife, Whitney Rice; two great-grandchildren: Paisley and Liam Rice of Tyler TX; sisters: Rose Marie Early, Nancy Lee Early of Lubbock, TX, and Donna Jean Jeffcoat of Abilene, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Alden and Violet Early; brother, Wilbur Schooley, Jr. and sister, Carol A. Williamson. 

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.