Curry County Commissioner James Ridling dies

CLOVIS - James Ridling, the most recent addition to the Curry County Commission, died Saturday morning.

County Manager Lance Pyle confirmed the death to The News.

"Jim was a great man that loved his community and serving others," Pyle told The News. "Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family."

Ridling, a retired farmer and U.S. Postal Service employee, was in his first year as the commission's District 2 representative.

Ridling farmed for most of his life, starting in his teens when he rented a quarter section of dryland wheat ground from his father. He took over his family's farm in 1977, while he was working for the Soil Conservation Service.

The position was Ridling's first time holding public office. He ran unopposed in last year's general election, after defeating former County Commissioner J. Albin Smith in the Republican primary. The seat was open with Ben McDaniel term-limited.

Chairman Robert Thornton told The News Ridling was a good person to know, and was studious in his work on the commission.

"He tried to find out everything he could on every subject," Thornton said. "I appreciated his diligence to do the things that were best."

A cause of death was not immediately released. However, Ridling had confirmed in recent commission meetings, which he attended virtually, that he had contracted COVID-19.

The task of filling Ridling's seat will fall to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, but commissions are generally asked to provide the governor's office with a list of recommendations.

Services will be under the direction of Muffley Funeral Home.