DATELINE – Clayton, New Mexico.
NAME: Bob Maness, age 93, died on Monday, June 12, 2023, at his home in Clayton, New Mexico.
SERVICES: Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Clayton Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Billy Rammage officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.
Bob Maness was born on September 27, 1929, in Clayton, New Mexico to Richard Alton Maness, II and Lela Vianna (Risley) Maness. Bob spent his early years in the Felt area, growing up during our country’s difficult time. He quickly learned the value of hard work, the importance of helping anyone in need, and treating everyone with courtesy and respect. He always tried to stay true to those values, passing them on to his children. With 8 classmates, he graduated from Felt High School in 1947. A local girl captured his heart, they married and moved west to Gladstone. Ranching life had to wait during the Korean War and his service as a Marine at Camp Pendleton and later in Japan. He was a devoted father to his son and daughter. Through countless miles on horseback and in the feed pickup, they observed a hint of the love their Dad had for ranching. Sitting quietly in the saddle watching a sunrise, his watchful eye as a calf or foal struggled to stand after a difficult birth, thankfulness for the good neighbors around him. The sigh of relief at the arrival of a long-awaited rain. He loved the fun, laughter, and stories in a gathering of family, friends, or neighbors; a good game of cards, dominoes, or horseshoes, and flagging a team roping or steer roping event. Although sometimes a little stubborn, he had a kind heart and a generous nature. Our cowboy leaves us with many memories, each special in its own way to all who knew him. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Lela, son Richard, first love and mother of his children Caroline, brothers Don and Lloyd, sisters-in-law Phyllis and Sue, and many dear friends and extended family all deeply missed.
Surviving him are daughter Jackie and her husband J.W., daughter-in-law Gayle, grandson Tate and his wife Vanessa, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends who helped him, and a lot of really good folks.
