Roy Borden

Roy Lee Borden, 83, a longtime resident of Clovis, New Mexico and a 27-year retiree of the BSNF Railroad, passed away on January 21, 2023 at the Clovis Plains Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

A viewing is scheduled on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Steed-Todd Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 10:30 am at Forrest Heights Baptist Church, 1701 S. Prince, Clovis New Mexico.  Interment will follow at the Fort Sumner Cemetery, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

Survivors left to cherish Roy’s memory are his high school sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Dorthy Eloise Sims Borden; daughter, Debra Lee Borden Allen (Doug) of Early, Texas; son Roy Lee (Pete) Borden Jr. (Carol) of Clovis, NM; Melissa Dawn Borden Mapes (Michael) of Haslet, Texas; his seven grandchildren: Jason Allen (Mandy) of Jacksonville, Florida, Melanie Borden Dellinger (Dave) of Lubbock, Texas, Amy Borden Frapp (Bryan) of Soldotna, Alaska, Amanda Allen Collins (Daniel) of Cypress, Texas, Jarrod Allen (Monica) of Early, Texas, McKinlee Mapes, and Mason Mapes of Haslet, Texas.  As well as his ten great grandchildren Nicholas Borden, Bryce and Tysenne Dellinger, Averie, Aaron, and Abbott Allen, Samson and Titus Collins, Cooper and William Frapp. A brother, Earl Borden (Jan) of Clovis, New Mexico.

Roy was preceded in death by his father Floyd Cordell Borden, mother Bessie Lucille Borden, two sisters Thelma Jean Head and Norma Lucille Crim, father-in-law Gib Sims, and mother-in-law Ada Thelma Sims.

Roy Lee was born to Floyd C. Borden and Bessie Holland Borden on July 9, 1939 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.  Roy graduated from Fort Sumner High School on May 22, 1958.  Then the evening after graduation Roy married Eloise Sims also on May 22, 1958.  That summer Roy hauled hay out of the Fort Sumner valley.  In January of 1959 he worked at the PR Lyons Ranch near Ima, NM.  In May 1959 he and his wife moved to Clovis.  Roy then worked for Johnny Stagner’s Service Station located on the corner of 1st St. and Prince St. and worked for the Smith Auto Parts Store. During the year of 1959, their first child was born. In 1960 the family returned to Fort Sumner where Roy worked for Lucas Motors.  While in Fort Sumner, their second child was born.

In 1965 Roy moved the family back to Clovis, NM and was employed by R.L. Bline at Motor Supply Company. While working at Motor Supply, Roy completed The Dale Carnegie course which only embellished his gift of relating to people. He had a gift of making strangers feel like friends.  He was also awarded The Gates Master Counterman Award by Gates College of Counter Knowledge.

In July 1970, Roy and Eloise’s third child joined the family.

Roy Lee began working for the railroad, in early 1970. During the years of employment with ATSF/BNSF, he was a member of The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and worked as signalman, maintainer, and signal gang foreman for the Local 161. Roy studied electronics in depth and was certified in this area by The Cleveland Institute of Electronics. After 27 years of service, Roy retired from the railroad.

In April of 1985 Roy accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a revival held at Forrest Heights Baptist Church, where he then became a member.  Roy enjoyed traveling, visiting family, playing with the grandkids, and “puttering” around his workshop where he also reloaded rifle shells. He had a passion for shooting guns, fishing and hunting, which he did at every opportunity, as long as his health cooperated. During Roy’s later years, he spent his time enjoying the companionship and daily hugs of his wife, doing some traveling, delighting in the simple pleasures of life like eating good meals and watching a good western. He was thankful for his life and cherished his time with Eloise, his Sweetie, until his death on January 21, 2023.  He will be missed by those who loved him most.