C.W. Grissom

Colonel Wellington Grissom “CW”, 94 years old, of Taiban, New Mexico took his final ride August 3rd, 2023. He was at home on the ranch surrounded by family.   C. W. was born July 3,1929 in Farwell, Texas son of Luther and Pearl (Foster) Grissom of Oklahoma Lane, Texas. He graduated from Oklahoma Lane High School in 1949 and attended Texas Tech University.   College was interfering with his love life. He soon moved back to Bovina, so no one would steal his sweetheart away. Much to his surprise, he soon received a draft letter from the army. He promptly joined the Navy and shipped off to California.  As soon as Janean graduated from high school, she proceeded to move to California and she and CW were married February 24, 1951. 
  CW served four years aboard the USS Pine Island as a seaman Photographer. He served on three combat support Westpac deployments, Korean war, 1950 -1953.   CW and Janean moved to Taiban in 1956 where they started their family and fulfilled their dreams of becoming ranchers. CW was a true cowboy and he was not afraid to wear his pink high top boots and his Silverbelly cowboy hat to any highfalutin function! Raising and racing horses was one of his true passions. He was a member of the NMHBA,AQHA and raced horses in Ruidoso Downs, Sunland Park, and Raton.  Back in the day, he also enjoyed bowling, refereeing basketball games, hunting with his dogs, being an auctioneer, training horses, riding in the mountains and hauling his kids to horse races and rodeos.   CW was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers ,Kenneth and Leon Grissom, two sisters, Lola Jean and Maxine Grissom and his wife of 72 years, Lena Janean Grissom.   CW is survived by his sister, Caryetta Thomas, son Dwain Grissom, daughters Peggy(Merle) Spence & Kathy (John T) Basinger. Grandchildren, Wesley (Laci) Higgins, Ashley Baker and Brooke (Charlie) Kronschnabel. Great grandchildren, Aleigha, Paizley and Lyleigh Higgins, Degan Baker Duvall, Christian and Charlotte Kronschnabel.    Immense gratitude to Irene Torres, and her family for the many years of love and care, they have been such a blessing to our family. We would also like to say thank you to the entire Gentiva home hospice staff.   Memorial Services for both C.W. and Janean Grissom will be on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Sumner Church of Christ. Interment to follow at the Fort Sumner Cemetery.   The family requests that contributions in memory of C.W. and Janean be made to the Powderhorn Cowbelles :  P.O. Box 455, Fort Sumner, NM 88119 , or the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association: PO Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119.

To place a tribute, share a story or sign the online guestbook, go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.