Steven LaVon DeMerritt

While others anticipated the celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ the Redemer, Steven LaVon DeMerritt was experiencing the final reward of the redemptive power of God through Christ our Savior in the early hours of December 25, 2024. Steve was born on October 31, 1948 to Edgar Howard DeMerritt and Nellie Catherine DeMerritt in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. His early years were spent in Gurley, Nebraska before the family settled in Dix, Nebraska.

Steve fell in love and married Sharon Rae Hogsett on December 15, 1966. 2024 marked their 58th wedding anniversary. During their early years of marriage, he worked for a power plant in Kimball, Nebraska where they started their family. Shortly after the birth of their second son, Steve took a position with Halliburton Services. This position moved them to Sterling, Colorado and eventually to Artesia, NM in late May 1972. Steve's Welding and Fabrication, LLC was formed in 1988 as he pursued his long-time dream of being a business owner and fulfilling his passion to fabricate. His hobby of working on older automobiles and understanding the inner operations of machines, determination for solving mathematical problems, and desire to help others were evident throughout his life. Anyone who knew Steve would say he could build or repair almost anything. There was not a job or task that he would not consider seriously. He was an avid student of U.S. history and was an avid reader of James Mitchner. Those who knew him best would remember his quick wit which was developed out of his love for the television series M*A*S*H, Green Acres, and others. Steve was always grounded in his teachings to his boys ensuring they always understood that "you always get what you pay for," "nothing is ever free," and "you get nothing for nothing." He was as active as possible in the life of his sons ensuring they were able to participate in the Boy Scout program and achieve their own dreams. Steve was a proponent of education ensuring that his sons were trained in their respective professions.

Steve hung up his welding stinger for the last time in 2017 and entered retirement.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sisters, a niece and two nephews.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, his sons Steven and wife Toni, and Stan and wife Jean, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family has requested that memorials be sent to the Southeastern New Mexico College (SENMC) welding program in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Memorial services will be officiated by Rev. Scotty Martin at Terpening & Son, 611 W. Grand Ave., Artesia, New Mexico on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM