Judy Kartchner

Judy was born in Carlsbad, NM on January 30, 1951 to Melvin Wandel ‘Jack’ and Irma Gertrude (Wakefield) Kartchner. She was the youngest of six children and her sister was the oldest with four brothers sandwiched in between the two girls. Judy grew up in Carlsbad and graduated in 1969 from Carlsbad High School. After high school, she served an 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After settling back in Carlsbad, she had a successful career working for Intrepid Potash until her recent retirement. 

Judy was a close, beloved friend to many, both near and far away. She liked to garden (even though her cats liked to stretch out in the garden, take a nap, and smash her plants). Judy had numerous “fur babies” during her lifetime. The kind that “meow” and “bark” were the ones she found so funny and delightful. There are a pair of white-winged doves who have mated for life and made their nest on a telephone pole behind her home. Judy enjoyed sitting in the backyard swing watching the doves tend to their nest and taking turns feeding the squabs. Growing up, with the help of her dad, she developed a love of horses which included owning and caring for her own even after both of her parents had passed on. She really enjoyed growing beautiful flowers and was fond of the orchid rosebush in her front flowerbed.  Her flowerbeds are full of bulbs that always bloom in the spring. In her early years, Judy enjoyed square dancing and made some good friends among the group of dancers. She was serious about working on her family genealogy. Judy always tried to help her extended family members with their genealogy or would do some of it for them if necessary. She liked serving in the Lubbock Texas Temple once a month and was blessed to make friends with several church members who also work there. Judy was always ready to travel. She went on many trips around the United States to different locations and also made a few trips abroad through the years. She loved a good book and would often listen to books as she drove to work-having a fondness for Western Novels.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, Judy returned to her Father in Heaven at the age of 72. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Norma Louise Longsine, brothers Melvin Neil and Jack Dean Kartchner. She is survived by her brothers Rex Kartchner, Ned Kartchner and his wife Pat, many nieces, nephews and loved ones. Pallbearers will be Arlon Franks, Celvin Folsom, Richard Soules, Paul Hanna, Jayden Jenkins, Seth Jenkins and Lyle Folsom.

Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1722 N. Mesa St.) on May 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com