Olen Featherstone

Olen Frederic Featherstone II Joe was called from this world by his Lord and Savior at the age of 70 on May 14, 2013, from MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston.

Joe was born in Artesia, NM on October 27, 1942, to Olen and Martha Sopp Featherstone. During his childhood, Joe lived in New Mexico, Colorado and California. He developed a love of the ocean while in California which he carried with him throughout his life. In 1960 he graduated from Roswell High School. Joe earned a Bachelors Degree in Business with minors in English and Religion from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. In 1965, Joe married his high school sweetheart Charla May Stone, and they remained married and in love until his passing.

Joe was always in pursuit of knowledge whether it be geology, oil and gas technology, religion, art, gemology, computer programming or just knowing the next high tech gadget to be unveiled. He helped develop and plant the first commercial pecan orchards in the Pecos Valley, and truly enjoyed the science and risk of farming. His entrepreneurial nature led him to participate in many diverse business ventures during his career, such as Feathers Jewelry, POISE Computer Software Company, RodRic Drilling and Manzano Oil Corporation.


Joe was a religious man who felt it was far better to live your Christian values than to proclaim them.

He was a hard, diligent worker who loved negotiating whatever deal was next. He was blessed in his business efforts, specifically Featherstone Development Corporation and Featherstone Farms, Inc, and was a generous supporter of many local causes. Most of his giving was anonymous and geared toward helping children in tough situations. Dear to his heart was the Chaves County CASA Program and all the difficult work they accomplish to provide better environments for children to grow and mature. Joe also believed that adults and young adults who were hard workers and thirsty for knowledge should have the opportunity to obtain education and professional training. Since the 1990s Joe assisted many local individuals obtain college degrees in everything from business to veterinary science to the Seminary.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Martha Sopp Featherstone, and his inlaws Charlie and Velma Givan Stone.

He is survived by his spouse Charla of Roswell, NM his children, Tres Lilly Featherstone and Angela Shawn Naranjo, both of Roswell, NM grandchildren Nicholas and Elissa Featherstone, John and Megan Huggard, and Darby Naranjo, all of Roswell NM his sister inlaw Karen Henderson of Roswell, NM his cousins Scott Kinahan of Aurora, CO and Van Beverly Kinahan, of Aurora, CO, and his children Erin Bob Schaffer of Lenexa, KS and Shannon Kinahan of Colorado his nephews Jon Shumard and Charles Vanessa Henderson of Roswell, NM great nephews Corey and Tyler Shumard of Alamogordo, NM and Aidan and Rowan Henderson of Roswell, NM.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, May 22nd at 3:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and relatives following the memorial service at a reception on the church grounds.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to CASA, P.O. Box 2131, Roswell, NM 88202 or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Fred French, Dr. Evan Nelson, ENMMC, Rotary House staff and MD Anderson.

Honorary Pall Bearers are David Gannaway, Howard Perry, Paul Taylor III, Carrie Leigh Cloutier, Jerry Derby, Bob Kuykendall, Ken Barbe and Steve Fisher.

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