Joe I. Ennis, 80, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX surrounded by his family. Private family services have been arranged.

Joe was born Sept. 22, 1937 in Trementina, NM. Orphaned as an infant, Joe was raised by Rosenda T. Encinias. Joe considered her to be and loved her as his mother. The two lived alone on a ranch in a remote area near Trementina which was part of the original Spanish land grants. Joe attended school in Trementina, and grew up helping his mother manage the ranch.

At the age of 20, Joe moved to Hereford, TX, where he worked at the grain elevators, and at a produce business as a translator. It was in Hereford that he met Peggy Marie Thomas. She was working in the box office at the Star Movie Theater. Peggy was impressed with Joe’s good looks, charm, and his 1957 red and white Chevrolet coupe. The couple was married in Hereford, Sept. 13, 1958, and enjoyed over 59 years of marriage.

As a young couple, Joe and Peggy moved several places across the country, and Joe had many different occupations. In 1967, they moved to Clovis, NM and Joe went to work as an authorized distributor for the Kirby Vacuum Company. His successful sales career spanned over 40 years in Eastern New Mexico and South Texas. Joe won many awards and trips through the Kirby Company.

Joe enjoyed deer hunting in his younger years as a source of food for himself and his mother, and later as a sport with his sons and grandsons. Joe liked to fish and spend time in the serenity of the mountains and lakes.
Joe was an extremely out-going and friendly man, and had a unique and humorous personality. He made friends with people from all walks of life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Joe is survived by his wife, Peggy of Clovis, NM; two sons Rodney (Carol) Ennis of Portales and Ronald (Elaine) Ennis of Lubbock, TX; two daughters, Kimberly (Henry) Montano of Clovis and Kerry (Kayla) Ennis of Portales. Also surviving Joe are his grandchildren, Jeffrey (Carleigh) Ennis, Jennifer Ennis, Talia Ennis, Jordan (Stacie) Ennis, Shara Sweet, Joseph Montano, Lexie (Hernan) Navarro, Angelina Montano, Angelique Ennis and Nathaniel Ennis; his great-grandchildren, Axton, Emery and Owen Ennis and Saylor Isabel Ennis who was born two days after Joe’s passing. He is also survived by a cousin, Vi McDonald of Hereford, TX; some special nephews, Kevin Roberts, Ricky Roberts and Kelly Roberts who were part of Joe’s deer hunting trips; along with several other nieces and nephews