Obituary: Morris Dale Stagner

Morris Dale Stagner was born June 16, 1934, to John and Georgia Stagner, in Clovis, New Mexico.

Morris contracted polio as a young boy and received numerous treatments and had numerous surgeries in connection with his battle with Polio. But under the steadfast love and care of his mother, Georgia Stagner, Morris won his battle with Polio, although he was left with some effects of the disease the rest of his life, but it did not keep Morris from leading an exceptional life.

Morris attended schools in Clovis, graduating from Clovis High in 1953, as Class President. He was a Wildcat through and through. After graduating from Clovis High, Morris attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned his law degree in 1959. While in school at UNM, Morris married Claudette Burkett, who was his high school sweetheart, and they commenced their family with the birth of their daughter, Debbie. Upon graduation from law school, Morris and Claudette returned to Clovis, where Morris began his fifty-plus years of practicing law.

In 1960, Morris and Claudette were blessed with their second daughter, Kelly. After being in the private practice of law for a few years, Morris ran for, and was elected as, District Attorney for Clovis and Portales and surrounding counties. Morris was elected for two consecutive four-year terms. In 1972, the family moved to Roswell, where Morris served as an Assistant District Attorney until he re-entered the private practice of law there and later in Albuquerque. In 1982, Morris and Claudette returned to Clovis, where Morris continued his private practice of law until his retirement in 2010. In 2010, Morris and Claudette moved to Midland, Texas.

Morris was preceded in death by his loving wife, Claudette, on October 15, 2010.

During his life, Morris was active in many civic clubs and activities, including, Clovis JC's, Clovis Elks Lodge, New Mexico Girls' State, as well as numerous legal committees and organizations.

Morris is survived by his daughter; Debbie Turner, and her husband; Randy, of Westlake, Texas, their daughters; Casey Attar, her husband; Sayeed, and their children; Axel and Avery, all of Westlake, Texas, Jenny Nobles, her husband; Tyler and their daughter; Brynn; their daughter; Leslie Turner and their daughter; Abby Worley and her husband; Ian Worley, all of Trophy Club, Texas, his daughter; Kelly Coll, her partner; Dave Matovich, of Oakley, California, her son; Jason Coll, of Antioch, California, and his daughter; Victoria; and Jared Coll, and his fiancé; Krista Anderson, and her daughter; River, of Albuquerque, and his daughter; Savannah, of Oakley California; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Morris is also survived by his brother; Johnny Stagner, of Albuquerque, his children; Mike Stagner and his wife; Cindy; and Vicki Stagner, and his brother; Don Stagner, of El Paso, his wife; Ida, and his daughter; Kari.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Maria Smith, who was Morris's primary caregiver for several years up until his death, for the exceptional care she gave Morris for all of those years.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm at First Methodist Church, 1501 Sycamore St., Clovis, NM with Pastor Jeb Archer officiating. Burial will take place at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens, 1601 E. Llano Estacado, Clovis, NM.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, http://www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, (575) 762-4435.