Dee Leon Witherspoon

A memorial service for Dr. Dee L. Witherspoon is to be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM at the Hermosa Church of Christ located at 2512 W. Bush Ave. in Artesia, NM.

Dr. Dee was born in Roswell, NM November 4, 1952. He passed away March 17, 2025 at home in Carlsbad, NM at 2:25 PM surrounded by his family.

Dr. Dee is survived by his wife, Cassandra Witherspoon; two sons: Merritt Witherspoon of Los Angeles, California, Austin Witherspoon and wife, Jazmine and their daughter, Alizah Mae of Ruidoso, NM; sister-in-law: Clarissa Derrick, brother-in-law, Louis Derrick and wife, Valerie of San Antonio, TX, sister-in-law, Janey Witherspoon of Hobbs, NM, and nephew, Allen Witherspoon.

Dr. Dee was preceded in death by his father, H.D. “Joe” Witherspoon in 1980; his mother, Enid Witherspoon Gates in 2019, and one brother, Doug Witherspoon in 2016.

Dr. Dee was raised in Lovington, NM. As a young junior high school boy, he was challenged by a teacher to run around the track one time. Dee met the challenge and kept on running until the teacher had to stop him! The teacher was quite amazed and proceeded to inform the track coaches of Dee’s ability. Prior to this event, Dee had never run a track! That event began his future in running track.

In Dee’s Senior year at Lovington High, he set a school, district, and state record for the 440-yard dash with a time of 49.3 at the state track meet in 1970, breaking the state record set in 1959 of the time of 49.5. Dee was selected as the most outstanding trackman at Lovington High in his senior year. He also ran the third leg on the Lovington Wildcat mile relay team which won the state title and tied the state record in 1966 with a time of 3:25.2 which also set a new LHS record.

In 1970, his senior year, Dee set a new district record in the 440 which he earned being second in the state! He won the 220-yard dash with a 22.9 time. Lovington High School were the 1970 Class AAA State Track Champions! Dee was added on the medley relay team which owned the school record with a time of 3:39.8. He was a member and letterman of the 1968 & 1969 Wildcat State Champions football team in Lovington. Dee ran a 49.19 in the 440- yard dash for a new district record in May 1970. He won the open 440-yard dash in 1970 which held until 1977.

Dee graduated from Lovington High in 1970. He was awarded a Track scholarship to Abilene Christian College in 1970. Dee ran for ACC in the Astrodome at the U.S. Track & Field Federation, in the ACC Track Team ranked NCAA. He was a pre-med major with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After ACC, Dee was accepted into Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

Dee was awarded upon graduation October 2, 1976, The Doctor of Chiropractic degree. He then had to pass the State Board Exam which were given 3 months later. Dee did pass the first time taking their exams. He received his license December 3, 1976.

Dr. Dee was brought into Dr. Atchley’s practice in Lovington as promised, in 1976. He decided he wanted his own practice and opened his office December 5, 1978 in Artesia, NM, located at 106 S. Seventh St. Dr. Dee took specialty courses in x-ray.

Dee’s first patient was Mr. Ron Tasker. He charged ten dollars per adjustment back then. His last patient Darin Chandler. Ottie Speir was there also having a good visit with Dee. He closed in 2020 in February. Forty-two years, Dr. Dee opened those doors!

He cared deeply for his patients and their health. Dr. Dee continued attending seminars, eagerly learning and was always meeting challenges with a great attitude. Dee enjoyed caring for his patient’s health and he enjoyed them as well because bonds were formed friendships were formed as well; which he did very much miss after retirement. He loved helping his patients.

Dr. Dee became a devoted student of the Bible. He would study for hours at a time finding truths that permeated his heart and mind, as a result of his love for truth Dr. Dee began compiling reference books. Dee wrote 6 Volumes of Topical Reference books.

We shall cherish those forever and ever, especially since his loving, kind and obedient heart went into every page. We shall see Dee again in our Heavenly Home. Now that is a goal to strive for and to meet!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith in the future there is laid up for me and the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to me on that day.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Honorary Pallbearers are Louis Derrick, Dr. Tom Andrews, Millard Lewis Derrick, Michael (Micky) Witherspoon, Roy Puckett, Donnie Pounds, Kerry Shahan, and Ottie Speir.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com