Jerome Lee Cathey

Jerome Lee Cathey, 83, of Park Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away March 18, 2011 at Landsun Health Service Center. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Lodge of Sorrow will convene at 9:30 AM at Eddy Lodge #21, AF & AM, 513 N. Canyon, Carlsbad, NM Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, March 21, 2011, 10:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church with Chaplain Larry Krueger 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. Jerome Lee Cathey was born November 14, 1927 in Wilson, OK, to Clarence and Grace (Strickland) Cathey. He graduated high school from Long Beach City College, Long Beach CA in 1944. Jerome joined the U.S. Navy 1945, discharged in 1948. In 1948 he moved to Stillwater, OK to attend Oklahoma A & M. He and Naomi Walton were married on March 23, 1951 in Stillwater, OK. Following graduation they moved to Norman, OK, so he could attend law school at O.U. Jerome attended OU law school for one year, then he was activated in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Monmouth, NJ and Ft. Gordon, GA He returned to O.U. in 1953 to complete law school. He graduated in 1955. Following graduation they moved to Roswell. Jerome did private practice and also acted as attorney for the State of NM Engineer and adjucated water rites for the state. The young attorney in the book and movie "Milagro Bean Field War" was based on his services with the State Engineer." The family moved to Carlsbad in 1963, serving as the Assistant District Attorney. In 1970 he was appointed to District Attorney serving until 1976. Jerome then became Municipal Judge for Carlsbad until 1979, returning to private practice until 2005. During his career his was appointed by the governor as the Pecos River Commissioner. Jerome was a member of the Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains Advisory Board, founding member of the Living Desert, Carlsbad Community Mental Heath Advisory Board, just to name a few. Service organization memberships included Jaycees (State President while in Roswell), Seratoma, BPOE Elks Club, Moose Lodge, American Legion, VFW and IGNC holding several offices, including International President, 32nd Degree Mason and served as President of the Carlsbad Chapter, member of LULAC, NAACP, also active member of the Democratic Party.Jerome was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: M.J. Cathey, Nowata Billon, Winston Cathey and James Cathey and their spouses. Survivors include his wife: Naomi Cathey of Carlsbad, NM; two sons: Robert Lee Cathey and wife, Nancy of Las Cruces, NM, Michael Kent Cathey and wife, Robin of Carlsbad, NM; two granddaughters: Michelle Estrada-Lopez and husband, Daniel of Albuquerque, NM and Robin Cathey and Chase Holbrook of Abilene, TX; Sister-in-law Jean Boone of Yucon, OK., Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers will be Paul Sandford, Chase Holbrook, Daniel Estrada-Lopez, Bill Boone, Herman Boone and Dale Cathey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Stanley Evans, Arthur Gorrell, Larry Henderson, Bill Neighbors and Charles Cable. Memorial contributions may be made to IGNC Foundation, c/o Juanita Chapa, 1422 E. First Street, Mission, TX 78572. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.