It is with great sadness that the family of Alvin Wayne Kiker, Sr., known to everyone as Wayne, announces that he left the bonds of his physical being on this earth, June 29, 2017. He was 78 years, 5 months and 26 days old. Wayne was born in Portales, NM on January 3, 1939, to Bertha (Volgamore) Dittforth and Alvin D. Kiker. He graduated from Portales High School in 1957. Shortly thereafter, Wayne married Joanie Syble Nix and to that union three children were born: Sylvia Jane, Alvin Wayne, Jr. and Roy Allen.
Like most men of his generation, Wayne was a hard worker, and mostly lead a simple life. He worked for his uncles, Tom and Dick Sellman in Watrous, NM during the summers as a teen and for approximately 7 years after high school. He was a ranch/cattle hand, working with Pedigreed Whiteface Hereford Cattle. Wayne devoted a lot of time and traveled many miles to regional, state and national fairs showing Sellman Brother’s Bulls, several of which were Champions and Grand Champions. He was a member of the Army National Guard from 1957 until 1966 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and certification as a carbine sharp shooter. Upon returning to Portales with his young family in 1964, Wayne worked for Anderson Hammon Cattle Feeders as the yard foreman. After ownership changes, and two different feed lots, ten years of “cattle business up and downs” was enough. He began his career at Roosevelt County Electric Co-op in November 1974, where he was always grateful that Jim Hill ”took a chance” on him. For 25 years he was a fixture in the Engineering Office, first as an assistant and finally retiring as Engineering Manager. Many RCEC employees became as close as family.
It was during this time that he fell in love with golf, and spent most of his spare time trying to improve his handicap! He met his best friends playing at the Portales Country Club. For many years, a few good buddies and he would take an annual trip to Laughlin, Nevada to gamble and play golf. It was his yearly reward to himself, and a few times his Keno winnings paid for the trip! Wayne enjoyed a good New York strip steak and for many years was the grill-master for the annual Doug Stone Golf Tournament Steak Night at the Country Club. He was involved with the business of the Country Club for 25 years. He was also a member of the City of Portales Planning and Zoning Commission for 15 years. He liked Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson, and the Denver Broncos. In his younger days, he enjoyed a good party and dancing.
Wayne is survived by his children: Janie (Mark) McCutchen of Midland, TX, and Roy Kiker (Shanna Thurman) of Portales, NM. By his grandchildren: Amanda Renea and Kylie Cheyenne Kiker, Matthew James McCutchen, Casey Leigh (McCutchen) Williamson, and her husband Jason, and Jody Barnes Lockwood, and her husband Ray, of Florida. His great-grandchildren: Madilynn, Jayden, Jude, Ivy and River. One sister, Evelyn Ruth Hahn, also survives, as well as the mother of his children, Joanie Gilbert. There are many nieces, nephews and cousins rounding out his surviving family.
Wayne was predeceased by his parents, his son Alvin Wayne Kiker Jr., and siblings Arthur “Sonny” Dittforth, and Linda Kiker Netcher, as well as a few cousins and all of his aunts and uncles. Additionally, if heaven has a golf course, his best golfing buddy Marvin Foster was waiting for him at the number one tee!
A casual memorial will be held for Wayne at the Portales Country Club located at 523 South Roosevelt Road U, on Saturday, July 29 beginning at 10am. Cremation has occurred. His ashes will be distributed and dispersed per his wishes. The family would like to thank Trish Fenton for her love and support, as well as the employees at Wheeler Mortuary for their assistance, during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations to establish a Golf Scholarship in his name, or a charity of your choosing.
You made your mark on this world, Wayne Kiker. Your time on earth was well spent. Your physical burdens have been lifted; you will be missed by many, and your memory held dearly in the hearts of your loved ones.