L Fletcher

L.E. Fletcher, 84, died on Saturday, May 15, 2010 in his home in Ruidoso Downs, NM after a long battle against lung cancer. Mr. Fletcher was born in rural Stevens County, Marlow, Oklahoma on July 3, 1925 in the middle of what became known as the Roaring Twenties. He was the eldest of three children. Mr. Fletchers family moved to Carlsbad, NM in the fall of 1930, transportated from Oklahoma via Model A Ford coup for the nominal fee of twenty dollars. Arriving in Carlsbad, the family moved into the stone Eddy House.

On August 20, 1943 at the age of seventeen, L.E. Fletcher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California for basic training. After boot camp he was selected to be a member of the elite SeaGoing Marines. These Marines were trained for duty at the White House, Foreign Embassy, and aboard warshipsas military police, guards, gunners, and orderlies for captains and admirals.

From 19431945 he was a Sea Going Marine, assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Minneapolis. He participated in many major campaigns in the Pacific including: Marshall Islands, Truk, Palau, Marianas, Saipan, Philippine Sea, Guam, Caroline Islands, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Bataan Corregidor, and Okinawa.

By the end of his tour of duty Mr. Fletcher had achieved the rank of Corporal in the USMG and received his expert Rifle qualification. He was very proud to have been a Marine and to have served his country during World War II.

Mr. Fletcher returned to Carlsbad, NM in 1945 to complete his high school education. After graduation he worked at Potash Company of AmericanAsst. Chemist, later owned Fletcher Construction. After retirement, moved to Las Cruces, NM and ultimately settling in Ruidoso Downs, NM in July of 1992. Mr. Fletcher spent many summers working at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Mr. Fletcher is survived by his life partner, Patricia Neal daughters, Charlotte Banchi and husband Dr. Michael of Cypress, CA, Barbara Fletcher of Carlsbad, NM and son, Matthew Fletcher of Carlsbad, NM two granddaughters Jennifer Banchi Castelluccio and her husband Mark of Maple Valley, WA and Angela Banchi of Oakland, CA two great grandsons, Daniel and Brain Castelluccio. He is further survived by sister, Helen Egger of Apple Valley, CA and brother, Harold Fletcher and his wife Johnnie of Del Rio, TX numerous nieces and nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by parents, Cecil and Doma Cooper Fletcher.

Semper Fi.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 19, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Ruidoso from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Graveside services will be Friday, May 21, at 11:00 AM at the Carlsbad Cemetery in Carlsbad, NM.

Visitation