James M Sachse

James M. (Jim) Sachse grew up on a ranch at Gladstone, NM. He attended grammar school in nearby Farley, NM where he made many good friends and many childhood memories. He used to love horseback riding on the weekends with his friends and his brother, often searching for projectile points along the creek. He received a B.S. Degree in animal science at New Mexico State University in 1961. While attending NMSU, he met and married the love of his life, Sydney Thompson. Upon graduation from NMSU he attended Colorado State University and received a M.S. Degree in Animal breeding in 1963. He worked as an Extension Area Livestock Specialist in Colorado for five years, for which Colorado Wool Growers recognized him for his outstanding contributions to their industry in awarding him the "Outstanding Extension Award" in 1966.

In 1968, Jim accepted a position with NMSU as Extension Sheep Specialist. Jim maintained close ties with various youth programs through his involvement with 4H Clubs, FFA and intercollegiate activities and was actively sought as an authority for judging state and national sheep and wool shows throughout the United States. Jim and Sydney built a sheep breeding program, helping countless 4H and FFA participants secure market lambs for shows. He has 23 publications which include research papers and Extension circulars and widely used video tapes. Jim served on several regional and national committees for the American Sheep Producers Council and National Wool Growers Association, and he served on the editorial board of the Research Digest for the Sheep Industry Development Program. His Extension programs dealing with sheep selection and improvement have resulted in premium prices and national recognition for New Mexico wool and lambs. He developed specialized Extension training programs for Native American sheep producers in New Mexico.

Jim's outstanding Extension efforts in sheep earned him the NMSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics "Distinguished Extension Award" in 1975, “Sheepman of the Year" in 1982 (first recipient) by NM Wool Grower's, the American Sheep Producers Council's "1986 Silver Ram Award': and the Western Section American Society of Animal Science "Extension Award" in 1987 (first recipient).

Upon retirement, Jim continued to raise club lambs for many people throughout the southwest. He enjoyed the life-long relationships he established with many people who exhibited his lambs far and wide, and other breeders as well. He also enjoyed raising Red Angus cattle at the ranch he was raised on in Gladstone.

He is proceeded in death by his beloved wife Sydney, father Dewitt, mother Janice, brother Clinton and daughter in law Diane. He is survived by son Dee, son Elliott (wife Vonnie), son Justin (wife Lisa), son Bryan (wife Katie) and thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cowboys for Cancer Research.

Family and friends and invited to St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 31st. 2026 at 10:00am.