JAMES "TED" STIFFLER, 83, of Bloomfield, NM,
passed away Dec. 20, 2017 in Farmington, with interment
at the Aztec Cemetery in Aztec, NM.
He was born Aug. 31, 1934, in Ranger, TX, to James
M. Stiffler & Opal J. Needham. Ted attended Ranger
High School in the Class of 1953 but graduated from
Aztec. Ted pursued college at Abilene Christian
College where he met his first wife, Charlotte. He
then continued his education at Fort Lewis College.
He began his career working for the railroad in
Winslow, AZ, then followed the drilling rigs in San
Juan County. In 1957, he started work for the Southern
Union Gas Company and helped build the Lybrook Plant.
He retired 36 years later to pursue other interests
including a recently purchased Guide and Outfitter
business.
Ted served his community through 30 years on the
Bloomfield Fire Department serving as the volunteer
chief of the department as well as 10 years on the
city council. Of all his interests his favorite
was his family and his church. He will be missed
by all he touched.
Ted was preceded in death by his first wife of 56
years, Charlotte; parents, James M. Stiffler and
Opal J. Stiffler; one grandson & two great-grandsons.
He is survived by his wife, Dottie; sons, Jim (Michal)
Stiffler, Charles R. Stiffler and Tracey (Valerie)
Brown; daughters, Jerrie (Leland) Wilson and Terrie
(Doug) Phelps; brother, Jerry (Tim) Stiffler (RHS-
1955); 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.