Robert S. Light

Robert S. Light, 88, of Live Oak, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Monday, October 26, 2015 at Landsun Homes. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2015, 10:30 AM, at Grace Episcopal Church with Fr. Rod Hurst officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Bob was born to John S. and Elizabeth (Stott) Light, March 4, 1927 in Winfield, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1949 with an electrical engineering degree. After college, he was employed by Continental Oil Company in the Geophysical Department for three years. In 1951, Bob moved to the Carlsbad area where he met and married JoAnna Wills in 1952. Soon after, they moved to Winfield where Bob worked for his dad in his electrical and refrigeration business. Neil Wills, JoAnna's father, offered Bob a job with the family business in 1953 and they returned to Carlsbad where Bob operated Barber Oil, Inc. until 1995 when it was sold. He also owned Resource Management, Inc. until selling that business in 2002. A large part of Bob's life was given to serving the community of Carlsbad and the State of New Mexico. Bob served as a County Commissioner for Eddy County from 1972 to 1982. He was State Representative, District 55, from 1984 to 1996 where he chaired many committees and was a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Bob served on the executive board of The Energy Council in Dallas, Texas. He was also a member of Department of Energy's High Level Radioactive Interim Storage and Transportation Task Force, Department of Energy's Transportation External Coordination Working Group, Western Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments Economic Development and International Trade Committee, Mayor's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Task Force, New Mexico Mining Commission and Governor's Business Executives for Education and Advisory Board under Governor Gary Johnson. Bob served as Chairman of the Board of Carlsbad Bancorp Inc, the holding company of Carlsbad National Bank from 1985 to 2008. He and JoAnna were honored as the Carlsbad Community Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year in 1996. For many years, Bob and his family have made significant contributions to a vast number of charitable foundations and educational scholarships as well as to state programs, educational institutions and individuals with specific needs. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, JoAnna W. Light; sons, Robert M. Light and Bradley T. Light and brother, Miles Bradley Light. Survivors are his son, Stanley W. Light of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Sidney Rogers and husband, Zach of Carlsbad, NM; great-grandchildren: Whyett Rogers and Rhylee Rogers; brother, John S. Light, Jr. of Winfield, KS; sister, Ann Burns of New Orleans, LA and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Carlsbad Foundation, 114 South Canyon Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com