Lance Travis Merritt

Lance Travis Merritt, 29, the loving son of Ron and Sandra Merritt passed away at the family Ranch near Ramon, NM where he grew up. Lance was a Christian and baptized into the Lords Family by Walt Evens in Capitan, NM. He was a kind and loving person that never had a bad thing to say about anyone and would give anyone the shirt off his back. Lance participated in Jr Cattle Growers, 4-H, FFA, Jr Rodeo, as well as Jr High and High School Rodeo, where he won many saddles, buckles and awards. His Senior year in high school he was the Reserve, NM Team roping Champion and qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, WY. After high school he went to Clarendon College, in Clarendon, TX on a Rodeo scholarship. Out of college he worked in the construction business for Steve Kent, Bud Hettinga and Walt Evens running equipment and building things. After that Lance went back to his ranching roots working for Carl Cox in western NM, the Key family in Yeso, NM and then back to help his Mom and Dad at the home ranch in Ramon, NM. There he worked on the ranch and dirt work business. Lance was a good hand, horseback, or at operating machinery. He was kind and always helpful to others. His smiling face will be forever missed. Lance is survived by his parents, Ron and Sandra (Creighton) Merritt; sister, Stacy Green, her husband Jared Green and nephew, Jace Wild Green; grandparents, Ronnie and Beverly Merritt; aunt, Jackie Witt and her husband Mark Witt; cousin, Don Garrett Nason and his wife Kimberly Smith, Jaxon and Jacy Smith; grandmother, Sue Creighton; aunt, Joleen Montana; cousins, Brady Montana, Crystal Montana, and Shayla Smith; uncle, Randy Creighton and his wife Megan Creighton; cousins, Lane Creighton, Lexi Creighton, and Lyla Creighton. Lance was preceded in death by his grandfather Bill Don Creighton. A memorial service will be held June 7th at the fair grounds in Capitan, NM, with Pastor Walt Evens officiating. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made to LCFA Cowboy Crisis Fund, P.O. Box 1004, Capitan, NM 88316 Contact Renee Montes (575)-973-1524. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty, NM.