John Commander

John Edward Commander, age 88, of Ruidoso, NM, left this world and walked through the gates of Heaven on April 27, 2018.

John was born April 23, 1930 to Edward Forrest Commander and Hazel Clara Taylor Commander in Fort Worth, TX. As a youth he enjoyed spending time with his grandparents and going to work with his grandfather at the Fort Worth Stockyards, where his grandfather was a cattle buyer. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in June of 1950. He finally settled in Odessa, TX where he met the love of his life, Billie Wynell McPherson. They were married on January 22, 1952 in Lovington, NM, and spent 66 wonderful and happy years together.

John spent many years as a truck driver for Dale Meyer Trucking and Parker Drilling. He started in sales for Tesoro Land & Marine Rental Co and then spent 18 years as a District Manager before retiring in 1988.
John was involved in many organizations and held many positions that allowed him to help many people and touch many lives. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Potentate of El Maida Shrine in 1989, Emeritus Member of the Imperial Registration Committee and the Imperial Marshals, President of the Texas State Shrine Association 1988-1989, Chairman of the Board of the Shriners Burn Hospital for Children in Galveston, TX, Chairman of the Board of the Ector County Medical Center for 3 years, was a Board member of the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo, Odessa Crime Stoppers, and the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the Texas Tech University School of Nursing for 10 years and also served as a Silver Haired Legislator in the state of Texas.

John and Billie had 5 children including 2 sons; Joe and wife Tina, John Jr and wife Cathy; and 3 daughters; Susie Bishop and husband Charlie, Sharon Mireles and husband Johnny, and Janie Powers and husband Wyman.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Red Commander, and sister Carrie Ellen (Cokie) Hackworth.
John and Billie were blessed with 7 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He truly loved spending time with all his family and numerous friends.
John is also survived by his sister-in-law LaFon Commander, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 1, at Canaan Trail Baptist Church on Highway 48 in Angus, NM. A Masonic graveside service with VFW Honor Guard will be held at a later date at the New Mexico State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Stanton, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shriners Burn Hospital for Children in Galveston, TX.

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