James "Jimmy" David Vardeman

James David Vardeman, known to most as “Jimmy,” was born July 31, 1939 in Portales, to the home of Anna Fred (Ragland) and Clyde Blount Vardeman, and passed from this life on the evening of Feb. 27, 2026 at his home in Portales.  No formal service are planned.  However, the family welcomes family and friends to pay their respects at their home.  Those desiring to make memorial contributions may direct them to either the American Kidney Fund at https://www.kidneyfund.org/ or by mail to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Ste 300, Rockville, MD 20852-9213 or to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org.

Jimmy was a 1957 graduate of Portales High School and went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University.  In addition, he attended Barber School, and for some time he did barbering in Clovis as well as at Morgan’s Barber Shop in Portales.  For several years he was employed in Food Services at the university.  In 1972 he bought the Sands Steak House, which he operated for 7 years.  After leaving the steak house he opened the local Dairy Queen.  Four years later he opened Clovis Western Warehouse and operated that for over 20 years.  In 2005, Jimmy went to work at Plateau Cellular where he handled the phone insurance.  Jimmy had been retired since 2015.

On Aug. 2, 1959, he was married to Phyllis Ann Morgan.  There were two children born to their union, a son, Michael and a daughter, Janna.  Jimmy loved playing golf and was known to be an excellent golfer.  He and Phyllis played in many couples’ tournaments.  He also enjoyed flower gardening.  However, his real passion was his family.  He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Clovis.

Jimmy is survived by Phyllis, his wife of more than 66 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Lisa Vardeman of San Antonio, TX; his daughter, Jana Wornell of Clovis and her fiancé, Steve Poe of Artesia, NM; five grandchildren, Kyle (Brittany) Wornell  of Clovis, Kelsey (Hayden) Huber of Hobbs, NM, Sean (Lyndsey) Vardeman of Brenham, TX, Keeley Vardeman of Seattle, WA and Ashleigh Vardeman of San Antonio, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Kamdyn Wornell, Greyson and Reagan Vardeman and Everly, Ellie, Nolan and Colson Huber.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Clydene Cribbs who died in 2021 and a brother, Dwayne “Shorty” Vardeman who died in 2023.

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