This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath158 Surnames: Tankersley, Hill, Grayslake, Fox Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5347/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Teddy Lynn Tankersley was born on August 18, 1960, as the third son of Boyce Tankersley Jr., and Amelita Fox Tankersley Hill in San Angelo, TX. He passed away on April 2, 2011 at the Advanced Care Hospital surrounded by family and loving attendants. Teddy started school in Mertzon, TX, and moved to Mesilla Park in 1969 where he attended Mesilla Park Elementary, Zia Jr. High, and Las Cruces High. He was active in 4-H, road motor cross and was considered one of the best dancers in town. Coyote, deer, and small game hunting played a big part in his activities during college. He earned his bachelor and master's degrees from NMSU College of Agriculture. As an NMSU extension research technician with Dr. Emory Shannon, NMSU Extension Plant Pathologist, they discovered tomato spotted wilt virus overwinter in the roots of field bind weed, the weed that host chile-rotting virus. His first job was as the county 4-H Agent in Sayer, OK (Beckem County). From there he moved back to Alamogordo, NM (Otero County) where he served as Asst. County Agent for 4 years. In 1990 he started to work for USDA Farmers Home Administration, rural Development Div. in Perryton, TX. He was transferred to Angleton, TX and finally ended up in St. Louis, MO as an instructor in the National Training Center. Ted was baptized into the Baptist Church and attended First Baptist Church of Las cruces. 1995 was a very wonderful year for Teddy. His daughter Krista Lynn was born in Sept. and on Dec. 31 he was notified that they had found a matching donor for a kidney transplant. The transplant was performed on New Year's Eve and completed Jan. 1, 1996. Due to post operative complications he was in a coma for 2 œ months and in physical therapy for 2 œ months. He gritted his teeth and learned to walk, talk, and survive all over again. When he was asked about his handicaps he would let you know he did not consider himself handicapped- he was intelligent and financially capable of providing for himself and his family. His early life on the ranch in Mertzon and the farm in Mesilla Park and his 4-H Agent role influenced his choice for his charitable contributions and his dreams for his daughter's participation in 4-H and FFA. The southern NM State Fair and the EXPO were the highlights of his year and he was always on the front row for the Junior Livestock Sale and bought one or more animals each year. In addition to his interest in 4-H and FFA he was a sponsor and member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the New Mexico Quarter Horse Association, and life member of the Southwest Quarter horse Association. His horse Awsome Sirprize "Dude" qualified nationally for the AQHA World Show and was a finalist in 2008 and 2009. During the two years his horse and Krista amassed 32 Grand Champions and 25 Reserve Champions in AQHA Open Halter and 26 Grand Champions and 17 Reserve Champions in AQHA Youth. Teddy loved his family and started Christmas shopping in July and August so he could get something special for everyone. Teddy is survived by his daughter, Krista Lynn; his mother Amelita Hill, brothers Boyce Tankersley III (Carol), Grayslake IL, and his children Gabriel Glen and Cecelia Rose; and Tim Tankersley (Lois), Emporia, KS, his children Lisa Vance (Bryce) KS, and Marissa Tankersley, Bryan, TX; grandmother Alma Fox of Mesilla Park, NM; uncles Bobby Fox (Mary Ellen), Silver city, NM, Ted Fox of Justin, TX and Billy Tankersley of Mertzon, TX. He is preceded in death by his father Boyce Tankersley Jr, grandfather Glen Fox, grandmother Julie Lee Tankersley, grandfather Boyce Tankersley Sr. and step-father Kenneth Hill. Pallbearers will be Jack Barnitz, Tom Shoftner, Mike Heck, Albert Lyon, James Duffey, Ronnie Ward, Fig Padilla and frank Hodgnett. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Desert Clover 4-H Club, members of Las Cruces High School FFA Chapter and members of the Southwest Quarter Horse Association. Memorials in his memory may be made to NMSU 4-H Scholarship fund, college of Agriculture, or the Las Cruces FFA Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. A visitation will be held today Monday April 4, 2011 from 5 to 7 pm at Getz Funeral Home. Funeral Services to celebrate his life are at 10 am on Tuesday April 5, 2011 also at Getz funeral Home with Dr. Maurice Hollingsworth of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 526-2419. To sign the local online guest book go to www.GetzCares.com Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on April Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.