Jimmy Lee Caywood November 6, 1945 ~ June 9, 2026 (age 80)

Funeral services for Jimmy Caywood, 80, of Portales will be held at 10:00 AM, Mon., June 15, 2026 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. C. J. Garrett officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Daniel Caywood, Brendan Caywood, Lee Caywood, Chayton Caywood, Emmett Saiz and Stephan Saiz serving as pallbearers.  Military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #31 of Portales.

Jimmy Lee Caywood was born Nov. 16, 1945 in Elida, to the home of Jimmie Catherine (Wimberly) and Elzie Wade Caywood and passed from this life at his home in Portales on June 9, 2026.  Jimmy was a 1963 graduate of Dora High School.  Following graduation, he served four years in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict.  Upon his discharge, he returned home, and on Nov. 26, 1968 he was married to Virgie “Doncella” Varnell.  For a brief time, they made their home in Dallas, before moving to Albuquerque.  There he was employed by Albuquerque Safe Company where he installed and repaired safes.  During the seven years they lived in Albuquerque, all three of their children were born.

Their next home was in San Jon where he worked at the Port of Entry and also for the village of San Jon and at a local service station.  They later moved to Artesia where Jimmy worked in the oil fields.  During the time they were there the refinery caught fire, and he was involved in helping to put the fire out.  After three years there, they returned to Portales to be close to his father who was in failing health.  Jimmie drove trucks for Southwest Canners, and later for Wal Mart.  He retired in 2006 after 16 years with the company.

Jimmy was a devoted husband and father.  He enjoyed mechanic work, and used his skills working on various family vehicles.  Jimmy enjoyed collecting model trains and tools, as well as a variety of other things.  He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

He is survived by Doncella, his wife of more than 57 years of their home; a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Jennie Caywood of Lazbuddy, TX; two daughters and a son-in-law, Jennifer Saiz and Janelle and Jered Ryan of Portales; nine grandchildren, Brendan and Rachel Caywood, Lillie Saiz and her fiancé, Chris Aranda, Emmett Saiz, Shaila Saiz, Stephan Saiz, Lee and Kreisun Caywood, Kori Caywood and her fiancé Daniel Granados, Chayton Caywood and Emma Ryan; five great-grandchildren, Ryker, Kynzi, Kaislee, Bhodie and Gianna; and a sister, Helen Haptonstall and her husband, Rick of Gillett, Wy.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a sister, Glenna McNutt and by a son-in-law, Daniel Saiz.

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