James Sumruld

James Edward (Doodle) Sumruld passed away at his home on January 17, 2019 with his family at his side. Born to Jesse and Dorothy Sumruld on December 10 1937 in Lovington NM. He attended Lovington High School. In 1957 he married Mary Jean Sherman, with whom he shared a wonderful 61 years. James was a skilled carpenter like his father and brothers. He could make anything from wood, big or small. He was meticulous about his work. James also drove various transport trucks and operated heavy equipment in the oilfield. He retired from the Lea County Road Department in 2000. After retirement he drove the activity bus for New Mexico Junior College, he was especially fond of the baseball team. James loved driving them to their games and getting to know the players. He was the bus driver in 2007 when the NMJC Baseball team won the Jr. College World Series and took great pride in transporting the team home. In his later years he took a great interest in all kinds of cooking and recipe researching. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, and playing penny slots if a casino was near. He was the father to John Newsom, Rodney and Melonie. He attend baseball, football and rodeo events wherever they needed to go. He also attended track meets, swim meets and college graduations of his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of the home, Jean Sumruld, children: John Newsom (Renee) of Katy, TX, Rodney of Evens, CO, Melonie (Rick) Ankerholz of Hobbs, brothers Tommy (Liz) of Albuquerque and Carl (Diane) of Hendersonville, TN. Preceded in death by his oldest brother Ernest of Euless, TX. He was an attentive and loving "PaPa" to Jesse and Rachel Newsom both of Katy, TX and Dustin and Haley Ankerholz of Hobbs. James was a new great-granddad to Sage and Stella of Katy, TX. In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be named to NMJC Scholarship Foundation. A Memorial Service will be held at Griffin Funeral Home on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 11:00am.

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