George Maples

Ed Maples was a telephone man. He passed away peacefully at his apartment on Sunday December 6, 2015 in Roswell, NM. A memorial service will be held to honor his memory at 11 AM on Saturday, December 12th, at the Claunch Community Church in Claunch, NM.

Ed was born in Trinidad, CO on Dec 22nd, 1932 to Frank George and Mary Elizabeth Maples. He grew up in Artesia, NM with his mother and devoted step father, Hugh Elvin. He was very proud of his high school football career with the Artesia Bulldogs and played on the then new Morris Field. After graduation from Artesia High School, he went to work with the construction crew for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company where he worked only a short time before he was drafted by the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

In the Army he was assigned to Co C, 361st Engineer Battalion (Construction) at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and served as an Electrician and a Tractor Scraper Operator. After two years of service, and many war stories, he was honorably discharged receiving the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After his discharge he returned to the employ of Mountain States Telephone and worked in Deming, NM, Alamogordo, NM and Artesia NM as a lineman, installer, and central office repairman until retirement. Upon his retirement from Mountain States Telephone Co, he moved to Alaska where he was employed by RCA AlasCom in Anchorage as a central office repairman. After a full career in Alaska, he moved to Seattle/Tacoma, Washington where he worked in the ROC at McCord, AFB as a communication specialist supervisor. He was a proud member of the IBEW and Teamsters Unions as well as the Telephone Pioneers.

After successfully retiring for a third time, he enjoyed travel with his 5th wheel and to Australia. His passion was visiting with new and old friends, playing golf and enjoying his sons and grandchildren. He also served as a Greeter at Sams Club after moving to Roswell where he greatly enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. Everyone that knew him will recall his many "stories" and exploits of a life well lived and enjoyed.

Ed was proceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Mary Elvin, brother Gilbert, and a Grandson, Casey Joe Maples. He is survived by his sister in law, Beverly Maples of Tampa, FL, R.A."Pancho" Maples, wife Susie, of Roswell, Douglas Von Maples, wife Lori, of South Jordan, UT and his ex-wife, Betty Maples of Claunch, NM. Grandchildren Hubert W. Maples & wife Somer of Ogallala,, NE, JezaVon Maples of St. George, UT, and Cassidy Starlyn Howard & husband Brandon of Bonnie Lake, WA. His great grandchildren Lacey Mae Howard, Taylor Jane Howard, Whitney Makena Maples, Drake Cason Maples, and Natalie Joyce Maples.

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Cemetery