Obituary of M. F. Altstatt

M. F. "Buddy" Altstatt July 27, 1924 - June 19, 2013 Graveside funeral services for M. F. “Buddy” Alstatt, 88, of Las Cruces, NM and formerly of Lovington, NM will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 10:00 am at Lovington Cemetery with Rev. Dave Whitman officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Bud was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on July 27, 1924 to A. L. and Edna (Boatman) Altstatt and passed away on June 19, 2013 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1942 and joined the US Navy in January 1943 and served 3years; 2 ½ years of which he was aboard the Destroyer USS Jenkins in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with five battle stars and Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon with two battle stars. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. He was employed by Warren Petroleum Corp. in 1946 at Crossville, Ill. where he met Evelyn Inglis and they were married in Morgansfield, Kentucky on October 25, 1947. In 1948 they were transferred to Salem, Ill and lived there until 1954 when they were transferred to Lovington, NM, living there for 49 years. He retired from Warren Gulf after 36 years of service. They moved to Las Cruces in 2003. Buddy was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1954 and served on several different committees during that time. He belonged to the Lovington VFW Post #9477 and he was a 32nd degree mason and a member of Lovington Masonic Lodge # 46 having served as Master in 1970. He was a mason for over 50 years. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting and fishing and traveling all over the US in their RV. Buddy loved God, his family and friends and his Country and considered it a privilege to have served in the US Navy during WWII. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of the home; one daughter: Billie and husband Mike Hood of Las Cruces; one son: Gordon Altstatt of Lovington; five grandchildren: Jennifer, Richard, Susie, Juli and Kari; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and six sisters. In his memory, the family requests donations be made to the Boys & Girls Ranches of New Mexico, PO Box 9, Belen, NM 87002-9001.