Eugene Carrell Ray was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Crosbyton, Texas.
At age 5, he moved with his family to Artesia. In school, he excelled in academics, baseball and football. He helped lead his high school football team to a state championship in 1964 and remained a proud Bulldog to the end.
Eugene attended Texas Tech University, where he played baseball before transferring to the University of New Mexico. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the UNM School of Law in 1975 and served as an assistant attorney general for several years in the Child Support Enforcement Division before entering private practice.
As an attorney and guardian ad litem, he helped many families and children get through difficult times. He often took on clients at little or no cost and was honored multiple times for his pro bono work.
Eugene enjoyed spending time with a good book, watching old B movies and baseball and football games (especially if he had a little money on them), eating at local holes-in-the-wall, and anonymously sending his kids and grandkids random gifts from Amazon.
Always irreverent, he wrote to his children that when his time came, “we can dispense with the niceties of a funeral service and burial. An appropriate memorial at a bowling alley of your choice would be my desire.” It seems an odd request, as we’re pretty sure he hadn’t stepped foot in a bowling alley in 30 years, and even then, he wasn’t particularly good at it.
Perhaps he meant it as a reminder that we shouldn’t take life so seriously and that the most important thing is spending time with those we love. So as we prepare to lace up our rental shoes and bowl 10 frames in honor of Dad, we encourage all those who knew and loved him to spend some extra time enjoying the company of your loved ones.
Survivors include his ex-wife, Gayle Scott, to whom he was married for 33 years; their children Jared Ray, Thad Ray and wife Camille, and Alarie Ray-Garcia and husband Bryan; and grandchildren Sirena, Devin and Xoari Ray, and Jackson, Blake and Scarlett Garcia.
Cremation has taken place. A private scattering ceremony will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of French Funerals. Condolences may be expressed online at www.frenchfunerals.com.
