Weldon Monroe Longbotham

Weldon Monroe Longbotham, age 79, of Modesto, California died Tuesday, February 13, 2001 following an extended illness. Mr. Longbotham was born December 13, 1921 in Hermleigh, Texas to the home of Victor and Tressie Kemp Longbotham. He was reared and graduated from school at Hermleigh. He continued his education at Texas A&M in College Station, TX where he received his B.A. degree. Following graduation from College he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 3, 1942; where he served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Weldon was a member of the First Marine Division. He earned one Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Major on November 1, 1962. Weldon taught at Modesto Junior College, for many years where he shared a special relationship with his students. He was an avid outdoorsman and a member of Kiwanis. He was preceded in death by his father Victor Longbotham on November 1, 1971 and his mother Tressie Longbotham on November 22, 1989. Survivors include his wife Arlene Longbotham of the home in Modesto, California; one daughter Lynn Longbotham of Jackson Heights, New York; one son, Steve Longbotham and wife Elizabeth of Walnut Creek, California; a sister Jean Chambers of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and a cousin Barbara Ratliff of Clovis, NM. Memorial services were held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 17, 2001 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, New Mexico with Mr. Dan Craig officiating. Burial with full military honors preformed by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard followed in the family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery.