Joe Gray

Memorial services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, 2613 W. Richardson, for Joe Gray of Artesia, New Mexico. PMr. Gray, 77, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at his home. PRev. Jean Riley will officiate at the services. Honorary pallbearers will be all of his co-workers at Central Valley Electric. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Terpening amp; Son Mortuary. PMr. Gray was born August 3, 1931 in Channing, Texas; the son of Walter Gray and Bertha Ellen Barrett Gray. PHe came to Artesia in 1940 from Texas and served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. After his military service, he attended the University of New Mexico for a short period of time where he played football. POn August 21, 1965 he was married to Betty Jo Thorp in Artesia. PJoe was an Electric Utility Serviceman at C.V.E. for 33 years before retiring in February of 1991. He was a member of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, a certified United Methodist Lay speaker, and was a Boy Scout Leader.
Survivors include his wife Betty Jo Gray of the family home; sons Mike Teel and wife Deanna of Oklahoma, Randy Teel and wife Arlene of Pojaque, N.M., and Darold Gray and wife Michell of Artesia; daughter Debra Hope of Artesia; grandchildren John Michael Teel, Dustin and Tonya Teel, Jacob Teel, Andrew Teel, Tomas Teel, Amanda Teel, Noelle Hope, Haley Hope, and Sebastian Hope; nieces and nephews Dusty and Lilly Smart, Cliff and Selah Perkins, David Black, Kelly Black, Danny and Serilda Carter all of Artesia, Kelly and Brad Whitfield of Texas, Marc and Karen Thorp of Albuquerque, N.M., David and Pam Thorp of Alamogordo, N.M., Steve and Randi Thorp of Lubbock, Texas, and Forrest Gene and Davida Thorp of Carlsbad, N.M.; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.