Dr. Halford service information.

Dr. Dennis Doc" Hallford, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He was born February 11, 1948 in Abilene, TX to the late Tommy L. and Tiny Hallford. He was a graduated of Abilene Cooper High School and Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX.), where he earned his B.S. degree in General Agriculture. After teaching one year at Tarleton, he married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Williams, and earned his Masters and PhD in animal science at Oklahoma State University. In 1975, he embarked on an illustrious career at New Mexico State University in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. He retired in June 2016 after 41 years of teaching research and service at NMSU. He served as supervisor of the West Sheep Unit and the Endocrinology Lab, was chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for 25 years and member and chair of the Radiation Safety Committee for 32 years, as well as on numerous departmental, college, university, and professional committees. He served as advisor to 62 graduate students and was author or co-author of over 600 refereed journal articles, proceedings and abstracts on endocrine influences on reproductive functions in domestic animals, particularly sheep. Among his numerous honors were being named "Regents Professor" and "Distinguished Achievement Professor". He received the NMSU Cardinal Key Honor Society's "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" in only his second year at the university. Other recognitions include College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Research and Distinguished Service awards, Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, Robert L. Westhafer Award for Excellence in Teaching, Donald C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching, Gamma Sigma Delta's Distinguished Graduate Teaching Advisement Award, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science (WSASAS) Distinguished Teaching Award and WSASAS Service Award. He was also awarded both the NMSU University Research Council's Outstanding Researcher honor and Award for Exceptional Achievement in Creative Scholarly Activity. Doc was named Outstanding Alumni from the College of Agriculture at Tarleton State University and the Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Sciences "Advanced Degree Graduate of Distinction. He served as faculty advisor of the Aggie Rodeo Association, Block and Bridle Club, Animal and Range Sciences Graduate Student Association and Pre-Vet Club. Students named him "Outstanding Club Advisor", while NM Wool Growers presented him with their Amigo Award and the NMSU Environmental Health and Safety Office their "Friend of Safety" award. Dr. Hallford was also named one of Top 20 animal science professors in the country and Who's Who Among American Teachers.. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of Agriculture. Dennis is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughter and sonin-law, Amy and Brian Kord, and granddaughters, Shelby and Sophie, all of Las Crueses. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins. A memorial service honoring Dennis' life will be held in January, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the "Dr. Dennis (Doc) and Marilyn Hallford Endowed Fund" in care of NMSU Foundation, MSC 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003