Obituary of Michael William Harton

Michael William Harton July 07, 1945 - March 11, 2018 Funeral services for Michael William Harton, 72, of Tatum, NM will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 10:00 am at Tatum First Methodist Church with Don Ritchey officiating. Burial will follow at Tatum Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Harton was born on July 7, 1945 in Houston, TX to Jens and Gladys (Anderson) Harton and passed away at his home on March 11, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones. He grew up in Tatum, attending school there and then went to Lubbock Christian College on a track scholarship. He came home from college to take care of his grandmother and work on the ranch. In 1985 he married the love of his life, Linda Anderson, and they have shared thirty three years of life and love. Michael was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. He loved branding times, maybe for some of the stories as he was a great storyteller and enjoyed hearing and sharing them as he also had a great sense of humor. He loved to dance and enjoyed music and one of his passions was horse racing and sports of all kinds. His family and the ranch were the most important loves of his life and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He and his wife were very active in their “42” Club, Bible Study Group and the Sorority Group and they loved the fellowship with their friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; one son: Steven Aliares Harton and his grandparents: W.H and Ethyl Anderson. Surviving him is his wife, Linda of the home; two daughters: Waverly and husband Roy Lee Criswell of Pep, NM and Sandy and husband Eduardo Benavides of Tatum; one sister: Joy Tritters of Austin, TX and one niece: Janelle and husband David Barclay of Austin; four grandchildren: Justus and Kenzee Criswell and Michael and Lisa Benavides and a host of friends