Dusty Wold

Dusty Wold, born January 14, 1976, in Florence, Arizona. Passed into the arms of his Savior November 6, 2025. The eldest of four boys born to Dustin and Vicki Wold, he spent his young life in the mountains around Oracle, Arizona. He learned to love cows and the ranch life. He spent his summers working for Goff Ranches. He learned to be an Arizona cowboy, riding the rough country in the Mt. Lemon foothills and desert country. After high school, he worked for Ben Billingslea and Jim Lytle on the Fourpaugh in Wickenburg, AZ. These two men played a pivotal role in shaping Dusty as a ranch manager. He came back to Oracle and was working for Goffs again when he saw a young woman whose smile he thought he liked a little. He stepped out of his comfort zone and asked her on a date, she accepted and that was the beginning of a 23-year love story. A year later, they were married, they spent a few months at the King Anvil Ranch south of Tucson before venturing into New Mexico to work for Hap Canning at the Block Ranch in Capitan, NM. After Hap's passing in 2005, Dusty stayed on and worked for John Simmons. He grew his skills and his family there in Capitan. Adding Rafe, Cal and Cord to the mix. His faith was grown in Capitan, he grew from knowing there was a God to knowing and pursing a relationship with Jesus as his Savior. His greatest desire was that his boys would know their dad was a man of God first and foremost. The family spent a few months in Kansas and then moved back to the southwest and home to New Mexico. They lived for a few years in the Las Vegas, NM area and made more friends who became family and added the last of his four boys, Grant. Dusty was given the opportunity God had planned for him in 2013 when he was hired to run the Mescalero Apache Cattle Enterprises. This was the answer to many prayers and the biggest challenge he would face. His dream was to build up a ranch into a profitable, successful business. Within a few years, Dusty had made his mark. Growing the herd from 1200 head into 2500 head profitable ranch. He had achieved his personal professional goal and was a proud employee of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. A man of few words, he never felt the need to talk about the cowboy he was but would rather put his head down and let the work show for himself. He was who he said he was, no matter who or where, Dusty was always the same. He was a man of God who hoped to share the hope of Jesus with those he met, he saw the power and majesty of God's creation in the vast sky and the calves in the pasture. He marveled at the awkwardness of a newborn foal and the beauty of a well-built horse. He could talk for hours about cattle, horses or cow dogs.

In August 2025, Dusty was infected with West Nile Virus, after a valiant fight to recover, his lungs were weakened, and he passed on November 6th, 2025. He left a void and a legacy that will be remembered by all those who loved him. A member First Baptist Ruidoso, a 4-H leader for Mescalero and Otero County. He was a member of the Otero County Fair Board. His desire to be a servant to others was a product of his love and desire to serve Jesus. Proceeded in death by his grandparents, Wilfred and Lois Van Haren and Harold and Geraldine Wold. Dusty is survived by his parents, Dustin and Vicki Wold of Tularosa, NM, three brothers, Chet (Jessica) Wold of Benson, Arizona, Nate (Crystal) Wold of Oracle, Arizona, and Reed Wold, Denver, CO, nieces and nephews. His in-laws, Tim and Martha Wheeler of Globe, Arizona, his brother-in-law, Micah Wheeler. His beloved wife, partner, other half and best friend of 22 years, Ruth and four sons, Rafe, Cal, Cord, and Grant. Visitation will be held on November 21st at 5:30 at LaGrone Funeral home in Ruidoso, NM. A celebration of Dusty's life will be held at First Baptist Church in Ruidoso, NM at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his honor to Kenya Missions at First Baptist Church in Ruidoso.