John Gray

John W Gray, 68, loving son, brother and friend, passed away at his home on August 11, 2017. Viewing will be Thursday, August 17, 2017, 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. A Graveside Service will be Friday, August 18, 2017, 11:00 AM at Woodbine Cemetery, Artesia, NM. Services will be officiated by Phil Grassie and Tim Arlett. A tribute of John’s life may be found at www.andersonbethany.com where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family. John was born on October 12, 1948, to William D Gray and Glyn Starling Gray in Artesia, NM. He graduated from high school with many awards and honors in FFA which led him to his life long career as a farmer and cattleman. From a very early age, John loved working with electric motors. He was a natural with all things ‘electric.’ Keeping all the motors on the family farm clean and working properly was his specialty. International Farm Equipment was the brand of choice for John. His dad bought him an International 856 Diesel Tractor, Plow and Disk which he used for about two weeks before he became ill. Afterwards, John would longingly sit in the house and look out into the field at the tractor. That same tractor will carry John to his final resting place – being one of his many faithful friends. John was a great encourager and supporter of his brother, Donald, who drove Peterbilt heavy haulers. He loved to buy Donald Peterbilt memorabilia. Donald’s last purchase was an International Winch Heavy Hauler Winch Truck which John called ‘Binder!’ Donald warmly remembers the contented smile on John’s face when he took what they both knew was his last ride in the truck. Always involved with in his brother’s life, John’s mother would drive him onsite when Donald was a purchasing agent for an oil company. John would be onsite to watch Donald’s truck be unloaded into tanks and watch the LACT unit with its lights and switches that put the oil into the pipeline. John lovingly called Donald (in CD terms) a ‘Refinery Taxi’ along with the ‘Suicide Jockey of Eagle Creek.’ A faithful Methodist, John attended church until his health absolutely prevented it. John enjoyed spending his time watching westerns, TV and movies. Preceding John in death are his parents: William D (Bill) and Glyn S Gray; grandparents: David N and Lottie White Gray, John and Claudia Starling; 2nd cousin, Eddie Houston, Midland, TX; Pets: Saint, Moose, George (all Saint Bernards), and Rocky (German Shephard/Rottweiler). Those surviving to cherish the memory of John are: his brother, Donald Gray of the family farm; niece, Laverne Keahy of AR; nephew, Tom Burk of Texarkana, AR, niece, LaRita Spruell of Bradley, AR; 2nd cousins: Patty and Dody Nunez of Tucumcari, NM, Cindy and Frank Ramos of Las Cruces, NM, Bryan Houston and Cheri of Hobbs, NM, Bob and wife Houston of Hobbs, NM, David and wife Houston of Houston, TX; 3rd cousins: Kayla Wood of Tucumcari, NM, Chelsie Nelson of Tucumcari, NM, Carrie Houston of Hobbs, NM, Samantha Houston of Hobbs, NM, and Robert Houston of Hobbs, NM. Honorary Pallbearers are: Marvin and Beth Bramblett, Loren and Freda Sanders and Morgan Nelson. Chosen to serve as Pallbearers are: John Jackson, Dustin Devenport, Bryan Houston and Bob Houston. Special Thank You to Care Givers – Dora, Belem, Tina, Anabel and Lucy. The family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society in memory of John W Gray in lieu of flowers.

John Gray

October 12, 1948 - August 11, 2017