Nathan B. Lockmiller

Nathan Bearl Lockmiller, known by all as Perky, went home to the Lord on Sept. 22, 2018, at the age of 96. Perky was born on March 24, 1922, in Ranchvalle, N.M. His parents were Samuel Ector Lockmiller and Victoria Patience Lockmiller. He was one of seven children: Winfred G. Lockmiller, Samuel Otha Lockmiller (Tootie), Etoy Irene Lockmiller, Margery Lockmiller Preston (Pete), Norma Lee Lockmiller Townsend, and Osward Sterling Lockmiller.
He married Betty Lee Barris Dec. 27, 1942. Betty and Perky had two children: Nathan Bearl Lockmiller Jr. (Corky) and Connie Deneice Lockmiller Nicholson. He is survived by his sister Pete, his daughter Connie and husband Jerry, daughter-in-law Alice Lockmiller, and his grandchildren Brandy Samaniego and husband Michael, Hayley Lee and husband Andy, and Benjamin Lockmiller and wife Jennifer as well as his seven great-grandchildren: Bryce Samaniego; Katie, Kensie and Nathan Lee; Ashtyn, Thomas and Jackson Lockmiller.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, his son Nathan and five of his siblings. After the death of his wife Betty he married Pamela Alford, who also preceded him in death.
Perky was a farmer, a rancher and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He served as a hospital corpsman in the Navy at the San Diego Naval Hospital during World War II. He was a member of Kingswood Methodist Church, and of American Legion Post 25 in Clovis, N.M.
Perky had many hobbies and passions in his life. He enjoyed bowling and went to several tournaments. Playing 42 was in his blood. He loved to garden, and he even had an artistic flair for making jewelry and stained glass. His love for fishing took him many places. He and Betty RV’d around the country and fished everywhere they could.
Perky spent the last few years in Kyle, Texas, close to his daughter. He became a favorite at his assisted living facility, and the most often heard comment about him was, “he is such a sweet man.”
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “… we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” Welcome home, Perky.