Kenneth Batson

Kenneth Karl Batson died at home early on the morning of Thursday, August 15, 2019.  He was born on April 2, 1932, in Endee, New Mexico, and was the youngest of the seven children of Laura and Clarence Batson, all of whom preceded him in death.  He is survived by Charlotte Ann McSpadden Batson, his wife of 58 years.

Ken was retired from Dixie Electric, where he was employed for 37 years.  He served on the board of commissioners of Lea County from 1995 to 2002 and as its chairman from 1999 to 2002.  He played a major role in bringing the Lea County Correctional Facility to Hobbs.  Although he had suffered a serious injury as the result of an automobile accident, he remained active in business and politics until the end of his life.  Along with his wife, he was responsible for helping to launch and to support the political careers of many public officials, a fact that brought him the admiration of friends and associates and produced consternation in others.  He was a member of the rules committee and a delegate to the central committee of the Republican Party of New Mexico for many years.

Ann requests that in lieu of flowers friends make contributions the Humane Society or the Lea County Republican Party, two causes to which Ken was deeply committed.