Samuel Whitley McWhorter, Jr

Samuel Whitley McWhorter, Jr., 88, of Socorro Road, Carlsbad, NM, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Carlsbad Medical Center. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. A Private Memorial Service was held Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Jack Burnett. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Samuel Whitley McWhorter, Jr. was born October 25, 1924 in Kirkland, TX to Samuel Whitley and Annabelle (Hardin) McWhorter, Sr. He grew up in the Elida, New Mexico area and graduated from Elida High School in 1943. After high school, he joined the United States Naval Reserve. Sam served in World War II as a Bombardier. He later attended Brownings Commercial College in Albuquerque, NM; Sam married Georgia Amelia Gatlin in 1945 in Magdalena. During their union they had five children. On August 2, 1968 he married his wife, Stella Irene Lopez Propps in Gallup, New Mexico and the two merged their large families together. Sam worked as a tax preparer for 60 years, owning several businesses in towns throughout Texas and New Mexico. He and Stella moved to Carlsbad in 1998 and he was known as "The Tax Guy", preparing taxes for many of Carlsbad's residents. Sam was a past Boy Scouts Leader, Demolay Council member and Eagle Scout. He received every degree of Masion's except 33rd degree. Sam was a member of the Elk's Lodge for 55 years. In his younger days, he was a pretty good calf roper and an even better bronc rider. Country music was his passion. Sam could play any instrument with a string on it and loved to sing. He also had a great appreciation for Native American art. Sam loved to be with his family and adored his pets. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons: Stanley McWhorter, Donald Terry Propps; daughters: Regina Sue McWhorter, Carole Hunter; brothers: Ralph and Jack McWhorter and sister, Sarah Holey. Survivors are his wife, Stella McWhorter of Carlsbad, NM; children: Lonnie Clay McWhorter of Deming, NM, Dana Bivens and husband, Ronnie of Deming, NM, Sammie Rae McWhorter of Las Cruces, NM, Ramona Lentz of Booneville, MS, Steven Propps of Las Cruces, NM, Kenneth Propps and wife, Diana of El Paso, TX, Sandra Burnett and husband, Jack of Carlsbad, NM, Gregory Propps and wife, Violet of Bridge City, TX, Danny Ross and wife, Tina of Las Cruces, NM, Pat Manor and husband, Jack of Tuscon, AZ, Karen Garcia and husband, Angel of Phoenix, AZ, Larry Runyan and wife, Janie of Mansfield, TX, Scott Garcia of New Mexico; 35 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren and brother, Lewis McWhorter. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.