John Nance

JOHN AZEL NANCE

Marion

John Azel Nance, 87, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at Christ Community United Methodist Church, Marion, conducted by Pastor Becky High. Private committal services will take place at a later date at Beevers Cemetery in Forrest, N.M. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.

John was born Feb. 15, 1930, in Forrest, N.M., the son of George William "Bill" and Fannie (Hinton) Nance. On Aug. 11, 1951, in Forrest, he was united in marriage to Mavis Hill. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. John worked as an elementary principal for 30 years in Lovington, N.M. On his ranch in New Mexico, John owned and operated a Black Angus cow/calf operation.

He was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge, both in Marion. For 20 years, he was a member of Boys Scouts of America, serving as a scoutmaster and later as a board member. He also was a lifetime member of the Lions Club.

John and Mavis were nomads, traveling all over the United States for this Methodist organization. Through the years John enjoyed boating and water sports. He adored children, often being called the "Pied-piper." Traveling in their motorhome, John and Mavis visited 48 states.

Left to cherish loving memories of John are his wife of nearly 66 years, Mavis Nance; daughter, Susan (Joe) Briley of Anamosa; sister, Mary Margaret Sours of Forrest, N.M.; several grandchildren, including Sara Briley and Jake (Rachel) Briley; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael John Nance; daughter, Kyla DeAnn Nance-Marrs; and brother, George Edward "Bill" Nance.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made in John's memory to The Ranches, 6209 Hendrix Rd., Albuquerque, NM 87110 or at www.theranches.org.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.