Hershel "Beetle" Graham

Hershel "Beetle" Graham, 78, of Parker Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Monday, October 26, 2015 at Mt. View Hospital in Las Cruces, NM. Visitation will be 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2015 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2015, 3:00 PM, at Carlsbad Cemetery Gazebo with long dear family friends, Pastor Don Neighbors and Pastor Michael Lee officiating. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Hershel "Beetle" Graham was born March 5, 1937 in Atoka County, Oklahoma to Troy and Charlesie (Price) Graham. He graduated from high school in Savanna, Oklahoma in 1956 and married Katie Smith June 9th that same year here in Carlsbad. Hershel served in the National Guard from 1954 and was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserve in 1963. He worked at the potash mines as a beltline foreman retiring in 1991. Hershel was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He loved sharing his adventures and stories with family and friends. Hershel never turned down the opportunity to watch the Cowboys and Lakers. Above all, his biggest joy in life was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and one sister. Survivors are his wife, Katie Graham of Carlsbad, NM; son, Tommy Graham of Green River, WY; daughters: Glenda Grubbs and husband, Don of Las Cruces, NM, Carolyn Williams and husband, Keith of Windom, TX; nephews: Jerry Graham and wife, Donna of Carlsbad, NM, Jeff Graham and wife, Maggie of Carlsbad, NM, Zachary Graham and wife, Diana of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren: Shaun, Brandon, Jill, Lyndsey, Katie, Jamie, Ashley, Austin, Tiffany, Tyrie, Taylor, Amber, Kristin and Randy; 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Brandon Williams, Shaun Paneral, Zachary Graham, Austin Graham, Jerry Graham, Don Grubbs, Keith Williams and Jeff Graham. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com