James Desoto

James Alex (Buddy) DeSoto was born in Pelican, Louisiana to Isaac and Ettie DeSoto on May 4, 1928. He passed away Sunday January 14th in Plainview, Texas at the age of 89 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

Buddy moved to the oil fields of West Texas to find work at a young age. He worked as a driller until he was able to enlist in the Army on February 2, 1945. He served in the 71st Signal Corp during the final days of WWII and as part of the Japanese Occupational Forces. Upon discharge in July 1947, he moved back to southeast New Mexico where he met and married Mary Cecilia Becker.

Buddy made a career with Skelly, Getty, Texaco Oil Companies retiring with 33 years of service. Some of his great joys were farming, ranching, hunting, fishing, horse riding, and horse trading. He was one of the founding leaders of Boy Scout Troop #45 in Hobbs, a member of the Lea County Sheriff's Posse, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as Chancellor.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, baby brother Richard, sister Edith Fields and his wife Mary.

Memories of his, will be shared by his children; daughter Sheila Thompson and her husband Marcus of Odessa, Texas; daughter Kathleen Pryer and her husband Ronnie of Hobbs; son Richard DeSoto and his wife Jo Beth of Plainview, Texas; dear friend and caregiver Inez (Juanita) Hillman of Plainview. Grandchildren are Michael Thompson of Dallas, Texas and John Thompson of Ruidoso, N.M.; Laura George and her husband Carl of Hobbs; Kirk DeSoto of Roswell, N.M.; Libby Wilhite and her husband James of Odessa, Texas; and Ross DeSoto and his wife Sealey of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Great grandchildren are Danni and Kaya George of Hobbs, Caden and Luke Wilhite of Odessa, Texas.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, January 19, 2018
11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Service

Rosary

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso St.
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, January 19, 1900
6:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Helena Catholic Church
100 East Bender
Hobbs, NM  88240
Saturday, January 20, 2018
11:00 am

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Cemetery
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240

Memorial Contributions

Cure Alzheimer's Fund
34 Washington Street, Suite 200
Wellesley Hills, ME  02481