James (Jim) Henry Sexe

James (Jim) Henry Sexe, 90, of Ruidoso, NM passed away peacefully at his home with family members by his side on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

Jim was born on May 5, 1933, in Humboldt, Iowa, to Henry Gaylord and Laura Pate Sexe.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Lee (Parnell) Sexe and their four-legged furry companion, Kiya. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past September 28.

After graduating from the “Old” Roswell High School in 1951, Jim began working as an engineer for Mountain Bell Telephone Company. Jim was drafted into the US Army and served from 1953 to 1955. During his time in the US Army, Jim was stationed in Germany–serving in the US Army of Occupation and was Honorably discharged in 1955. Upon his return to the States, Jim resumed his employment with Mountain Bell till retirement 35 years later. After his retirement, Jim worked as a telephone contractor and began a stint with the New Mexico State Highway Department as a traffic technician.

Jim and Wanda were married in Roswell, NM, on September 28, 1953, and brought three children into the world:  Debbie, Terry, and Jimmy.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Gaylord & Laura (Pate) Sexe, in-laws Selvin (SJ) Parnell& Fern (Taylor) Parnell, brother-in-law Ronnie Parnell, and Grandparents Henry Jorgenson & Tina Aletta (Opheim) Sexe.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda, daughter Debbie (Greg) Rockhold (Hobbs, NM), son Terry Dean Sexe (Albuquerque, NM), son James Lee (Stacie) Sexe (Roswell, NM), sister Linda Gay Sexe Hefner (Irving, TX), sister-in-law Rita Rhymes (Ruidoso, NM), many other family members. Grandchildren include Tiffany Ann Rockhold (San Diego, CA), Jennifer Alison (Kevin) Miller (Albuquerque, NM), and Jordan Gregory (Scarlett) Rockhold (Knoxville, TN). Great-grandchildren include Emery, Adalyn, and Haddon Miller of Albuquerque, NM, and London and Jack Rockhold of Knoxville, TN.

Jim and Wanda enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel camping, and fishing. Jim bought a pontoon boat he used at Ute Lake, where they had a 2nd house in Logan, NM. They enjoyed traveling to see their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren making memorable memories throughout the country.

There will be no funeral services at the request of Jim. A private memorial with family will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso, and special thanks to Alamogordo Home Health Care &Hospice and Dr. Moffitt for her care.