Harry Boggs

Harry Boggs, age 94, of Odessa, TX, passed away on February, 13th, 2014. Harry was born, Nov. 11, 1919, at home near Sedan, N.M. His parents, Fred and Lizzie Boggs had been previously married and had other children. Harry was the first born of that marriage, with four other siblings to follow.

He attended school in Sedan, and graduated from high school in Clayton, N.M. He attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., working four jobs to afford the education.

On May 28, 1942 married his college sweetheart, Cyrena Carman in a home ceremony in Dexter, N.M. The marriage lasted 71 years. They had two children, Judy and Fred. They spent most of the summers traveling the southern part of the United States while the children were in school.

He lived in Hagerman, N. M. for 61 years, where he was involved in the First Baptist Church, Boy Scouts and was a charter member the Lions Club in Hagerman. He was a Deacon at the church, and taught the Mens Sunday School class for sixtyone years. Before they moved to Odessa, TX the community gave his wife and him a plaque recognizing their years of service in Hagerman.

As the Boy Scout Master, he went through the ranks with his troop and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned other awards in ScoutingThe Order of the Arrow, given to Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, the Scout Masters Keygiven to adult leaders who completed specific training and performance goals over a fiveyear period of service, the Wood Badgegiven to recognize significant achievement in leadership and direct service to young people and the Silver Beaver awardan award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, selfsacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it. He and the troop attended the Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pa. and spent two summers as Camp Director at Camp Wehinahpay at Sacramento, N.M. One of his greatest joys in Scouting was having twelve members of his troop become Eagle Scouts.

He began teaching in 1941, and taught in the Public School System for forty years, four years Espanola, N.M and the remaining thirtysix in Hagerman. Most of the years in Hagerman were as Principal of the High School. Many of his students were outstanding students, and served their communities as teachers, school board members, lawyers, preachers or missionaries, city officials, a state senator, and gave many others an example to follow in their daily lives.
After retirement, he was active in building church buildings in New Mexico and in Hawaii, the retired teachers organization in Artesia and on the board of the Eastern New Mexico Agency on Aging.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Fred and Lizzie Boggs, Ernest Boggs, Jim Parker, halfbrothers Opal Monroe, Beulah Ryan, Mabel Parker, halfsisters Nettie Wheelock and Margaret Boyett, sisters. He is survived by his wife, Cyrena, daughter Judy Williams of Odessa, TX, son Fred Boggs of Roswell, N.M. brother Jack Boggs of Clayton, N.M. and Sister Gertrude Gertie Shields of Alamogordo, N.M., five grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Baptist Childrens Home in Portales, N.M., or your favorite charity.

The funeral service will be at First Baptist Church in Hagerman on February 18th at 1:30 pm, and burial will be in South Park Cemetery.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, February 17, 2014
8:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church
211 N. Cambridge
Hagerman, NM  88232
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
1:30 pm

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

P.O. Box 629
Portales, NM  88130