Donald LeRoy Calvert

Services are scheduled for 9:30 am Friday, October 6th at Hermosa Church of Christ for Donald LeRoy Calvert of Artesia, New Mexico. Scott Scroggin and Lance Morrisett will officiate. Burial with Military Honors immediately follow the service at Woodbine Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at Terpening and Son Chapel.

 

Don passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

 

Don was born on November 13, 1931 to Chester LeRoy Calvert and Harriett Frances (Brown) Calvert in Kansas City, Kansas. When Don was 18 months old, his father passed away and later his mom married Walter Marion Simmons who became his Pop. At six years of age, his family moved to California. When he was in the 9th grade, they moved to Artesia to farm, which later transitioned to their dairy operation which was located off of 13th and Richey.

 

Don was a charter member of the Artesia FFA holding the office of Reporter and graduated from Artesia High School in 1949. After graduation, he joined the NM National Guard on June 26, 1950 and retired on November 13, 1991. During his tenure with the National Guard he achieved the rank of CW04. Don traveled to the Pentagon in 1980 to receive the award for top recruiter in the State of NM.

 

On February 17, 1956 he married the love of his life, Linda Siegenthaler, who he lovingly called Babe. They were blessed with 67 years of marriage. Don and Linda made their home in Artesia, NM with a brief time in Roswell, NM in the late 60s. They lived in the Cottonwood area for 37 years before moving into town in 2008.

 

Don served as a Deacon and Elder at Hermosa Drive Church of Christ. He treasured his church family.

 

Don took great pleasure in spending time with his family and adored his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His hobbies included hunting, painting and ceramics. Don could build or fix anything (from a house to a car), enjoyed working in his pecan orchard in Cottonwood, and was known for his organizational skills. Don enjoyed watching the Cowboys and Chiefs and of course, the Artesia Bulldogs. He also enjoyed a pedicure and became a regular with Donna at Lily's Nails in the last few years. Don loved to listen to Willie's Roadhouse on Sirius XM when driving in his vehicle. Making homemade almond toffee was Don's specialty and hundreds of batches of this candy were made and shared through the years. Don took pride in his yard and beautiful rose bushes. He picked bouquets often so he and Linda could enjoy them. Don and Linda

 

enjoyed going to the mountains and spending time at their cabin and later traveling in their RV. Family reunions were important to Don and he treasured all of his cousins. He and his cousin, Ricky Brown of Kansas City, MO, visited weekly on the phone.

 

Don was a servant at heart and was a remarkable caretaker for his wife Linda until his stroke. He was also very witty and kept the family laughing. His sweet nature was a treasure for all of us and the void left in our hearts is deep.

 

Don was preceded in death by his son David Calvert, his grandson Dakota Neel, his brother Jerry Simmons, his brothers-in-law William Siegenthaler Jr. and Devon Love, sisters-in-law Lou Patterson, Loy Sue Siegenthaler and Rowena Dale Laab.

 

Survivors include his wife Linda of the family home, his daughters Donna Scroggin (Tommy), Dianna Neel (Doug) and Denise Sevcik (Martin) all of Artesia, NM. He was Papa to his grandchildren Scott Scroggin (Amy) of Artesia, NM, Lara Conklin (Derek) of New Home, TX, Deonna Wade (Dane) of Lubbock, TX, Tara Neel of Artesia, NM, Dathan Calvert (Stacey) of Boerne, TX and Daniel Calvert of Auckland, New Zealand.

 

He was Papa or Papa Don to his Great-grandchildren Colbie & Kinley Scroggin of Artesia, NM, Kaelyn, Paityn and Kash Conklin of New Home, TX, Cole and Allie Wade of Lubbock, TX, Everett Neel of Artesia, NM, Charlotte and Oliver Calvert of Boerne, TX and Asher Calvert of Auckland, New Zealand.

 

Don loved all of his nieces and nephews and was especially close to Dena Crouch (Randell) of Artesia, NM who spent wonderful quality time with him.

 

He is also survived by his sisters Marion (Jerry) Shaw of Mountainair, NM and Peggy Love of Rio Rancho, NM, sisters-in-law, Kay Beth (Butch) Stavley of May, TX and Jean Simmons of Florissant, MO.

 

The family would like to thank all of his caregivers who have been a blessing to him, his wife and his girls since his stroke. These are Maria Marquez, Queena Martinez, Maribel Varelas, Estela Gonzales, Luz Elva Muniz, Jacque Trueblood and Shirley Adamson. Also, a huge thank you to J&J Home Care and Jamie, Luisa and Laura with Enhabit Hospice, for their care and compassion.

 

Pallbearers: Tommy Scroggin, Doug Neel, Martin Sevcik, Scott Scroggin, Dathan Calvert, Derek Conklin, Dane Wade and Randell Crouch

 

Honorary Pallbearers: Ricky Brown, JT Jackson, Roby Zumwalt, Butch Stavley, Darrell Brown, Doug Rodney, Mike Prude, Jon Ross and Ken Murphy

 

Memorial donations can be made to: Artesia Classical Academy (Christian School), PO Box 232, Artesia, NM 88211-0232 or New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130.