Jonathan "Tom" Thomas Taylor

Tom Taylor was born April 14, 1946, in Roswell, New Mexico. He died peacefully at his home in Ruidoso Downs on May 20, 2025. He grew up in Lincoln, New Mexico, with his parents, Ray and Nina (Perry) Taylor and ten brothers and sisters. He attended elementary school in Lincoln and graduated from Capitan High School in 1966.

He was a great friend and neighbor to many, always happy to lend a helping hand. He loved interacting with people, hearing their stories and telling his. Work came naturally to him and he was occupied by ranchers, growers, storekeepers and builders up and down the Rio Bonito throughout his childhood. By the time he was in High School, he was helping drill wells with his father, driving trucks and occasionally the bus. During the summers he drove dump trucks for the highway department. This broad range of experience sharpened his mind and helped to develop a great sense of humor.

Tom married Sandra Smith of Lockney Texas in 1967 and moved near there to farm for her father, Robert Lee, north of Sterley. During this time, he raised cattle, helped raise and train horses for working. He and some of his friends had the hobby of fixing up or rebuilding old wagons and using horse teams pulled them in parades. Their only child, Rob was born in 1967 in Plainview.

In 1977, the family moved back to Lincoln County and he began his career as a firefighter where he worked with the Smokey Bear Ranger District for many years. During this time, he got to travel all over the country from California to Georgia and north as far as Michigan. After working for the Forest Service, he got his real estate license and practiced in the area. Being on his own for a few years, one of the many changes life brought to him was Peggy, who ran Ruidoso State Bank for over twenty years. Together they wrote a new chapter for themselves travelling, fishing and getting together with family and friends.

Another vocation that must be noted is being a teacher. His depth and breadth of experience gave him a practical knowledge that would leave most people shaking their heads amazement. He was the original Google. Throughout his life he was a gifted storyteller and oral historian of the late 19th and 20th century Lincoln County. To ride around with him was like having a personal museum guide in the car with you.

Tom is survived by his son and daughter in law, Rob and Marian Taylor of Ruidoso Downs, and by his grandchildren Gabriel Taylor, Moriah Taylor, Mirrissa and Zach Huffman, of Ruidoso and Jerry S. Balderrama of Grapevine, TX. He also leaves his three great granddaughters, Penelope Balderrama and Cambria and Emberleigh Huffman.

He is also survived by siblings: Phoebe Taylor, Fay and Eddy Womack, James and Nita Taylor and Margaret Watson of Capitan, Liz and Gerald Montes of San Patricio, Earl and Marsha Taylor, of Colorado Springs, Clark and Janet Taylor of Capitan, Kenny and Carol Taylor of Cliff, John and Dicy Taylor of Alamogordo and Shirley and Eddy Dimas of Rio Rancho. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and a wonderful extended family from Virginia to California.

A note must be made for Kara Carthel who was the daughter he never had and he cherished her. For Rebekah Milchen, who cared for him and Peggy so dearly and Little Becky Lavanchy, his lunch companion at the Old Road for many years. Liz Montes, who was more than a sister and a caregiver, but also his best friend. They would talk to each of them almost every day. Tom didn’t know any strangers and had many friends who were like family to him.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his adored companion and fishing buddy of over thirty years, Peggy Pugh in 2019.

Funeral services will be held 10:00AM Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Perry Ranch, 114 Coe Canyon Rd. Glencoe, New Mexico. Interment will follow at George Coe Cemetery.

Gallery photos below:

Rob, Moriah, Gabe and Tom

Tom and Peggy