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Ray D. Carrell, born May 21, 1946, in Alamogordo, NM, the son of Ray A. Carrell and Betty L. (Carrell) Kirkman, passed away on Monday, July 29th, 2024, at the age of 79.
Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sandra (Cherry) Carrell of Alamogordo, NM, two children, Ann Y. Carrell of Alamogordo, NM, and Andrew E. Carrell (wife Cody L. Carrell) of High Rolls, NM, and three grandchildren: Ethen E. Carrell of Alamogordo, NM, Amanda R. Carrell of Sioux Falls, SD, and Andrew Conner Carrell of Alamogordo, NM. As well as a brother in life Dave Elton Huffmon (wife Kay Huffmon) and Cherrys’ many brothers and sisters and their children, along with many Carrell cousins.
Ray grew up in Tularosa with his grandparents, Jess and Eula Campbell on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and started cowboying early on. Ray was visiting friends on the Flying H Ranch where he met the love of his life, Cherry Huffmon (Carrell) and after graduating high school eventually went to work there.
They married on August 28th, 1965. After working on various ranches and for the Forest Service in the Cloudcroft area, Ray and Cherry moved back to Alamogordo, where he worked for CPS (now PNM) as a lineman, foreman, and supervisor, which he continued to do for the next 35 years. During that time, Ray trained many young linemen, getting them started in their careers. Ray often stated that one of his favorite things was the brotherhood of the line crew. Ray could do any kind of work well and was the definition of a top hand. In his younger years, Ray loved breaking colts and hunting, a passion he passed down to his kids and grandkids.
One of his greatest joys was when all the family got together in hunting camp or fishing trips. He also loved horseback hunting in the Gila wilderness for elk. His gruff manner did not conceal the obvious love he had for his family, and even though he knew and had good relationships with all he encountered, he was happiest with his family.
There will be a celebration of life and potluck dinner for friends and family at his home, 24 KC Road, Alamogordo, NM, on August 17th, 2024, at 2:00 pm.
