A memorial service is scheduled for 10 am Thursday, October 1, at Hermosa Church of Christ for Paul D. Klontz of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Klontz, 84, died on September 24, 2026 at his home in Artesia.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 pm on Wednesday, September 30 at Terpening & Son Mortuary.

Cremation will take place under the direction of Terpening & Son.

Paul was born on March 2, 1942 in Deerfield, Missouri; the son of Arthur Calvin Klontz and Pearl May James Klontz. He was married to Diana Lynn Cox on February 2, 1963. She preceded him in death on December 9, 2022.

Paul was a longtime member of the Hermosa Church of Christ, serving as teacher, song leader, deacon and elder. Paul always had a job, beginning in grade school delivering prescriptions on his bicycle. Later, as a heavy equipment operator before attending trade school and receiving his electrician certificate. Paul retired from Navajo Refining (Sinclair) and retired twice from the City of Artesia as the Electrical Inspector. Paul loved his work, but loved his Triump motorcycles more!

He was preceded in death by his big brother James C Klontz of Kansas, May 29, 2019.

 Survivors include Sisters-in-law Doris Klontz, Anita Markman, Billie Jo (Buddy) Kirshner, sisters Anna Kupecz and Lois Bettes, brother Dr. William Klontz (Patsy)

Children: Vaughn (Carla) Klontz and Vana (Perry) Conner

Grandchildren: Bryan (Amber) Klontz, Blake (Paige) Klontz, Kaci (Matt) Whitmire, Cayla Nelson, Caton Conner, Kabryn (Grady) Frost, Dylan Gauntt, Tyler Gauntt, Garrett Herring, Viki Williams, Aubri Baeza.

Great Grandchildren: Kaydence Klontz, Kenzie Klontz, Kailee Klontz, Ashlynn Klontz, Dean Frost, Drake Frost, Layton Whitmire and Tynlee Whitmire.