Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Jan. 27 Obituaries

Gene Simmons, 80

Services: 2 p.m. Friday at the Portales Cemetery.

Mr. Gene Simmons, 80, of the Dora community, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Laurel Ridge Nursing Home in Clovis.

He was born on June 7, 1924, in Post, Texas, to Maude and John Simmons. He moved with his family to the Dora area as a teenager. In 1945, just prior to the end of World War II he entered the Army, and served in Manila with the repatriation forces until October 1946. When he was discharged he returned to Dora and bought a farm where he ran a dairy until 1984. From 1984 until 1989 he was the park ranger at Oasis State Park. Since that time he had been retired. On Aug. 2, 1982, he married Billie Jean. He was a charter member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 9515, where he served as commander and also as quartermaster. Family members said he enjoyed mowing his lawn, and watching television and he also liked playing “42” and other games.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Wilson, Richard and V.A. Simmons; two sisters, Pauline Bruce and Geneva Peek; a son, Dr. E. L. Simmons; and his wife.

Survivors include a daughter, Jan Black (and husband, Ron) of Hobbs; a step-daughter, Teresa Gay (Jim) of Portales; six grandchildren, Carla Crow, Kevin and Shannon Black, Nicole and Jessica Gay and Heather Simmons; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Clarice Hartwig of Abilene, Texas, and Joyce Tennison of San Antonio.

Dusty Leatherwood will officiate the services.

Honorary pallbearers are members of VFW Post 9515.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Ray Ferguson, 70

Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.

Ray Ferguson, 70, of Portales, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at his home in Portales.

He was born on Jan. 3, 1935, in Portales, to Louella and Ernest L. Ferguson. He worked for a time with his dad in the family well-service business. Later he began driving trucks and worked for several different companies. He was drafted in 1957 and served two years in the Army. When he came back to Portales he again went to work as a truck driver. In 1970 he went to work for Welch Trucking for 32 years. He had been retired since 2002. He married his first wife, Dee on Sept. 5, 1958. She preceded him in death in April 1987. On Sept. 23, 1987, in Portales he married his wife, Kaye. He was a member of the University Baptist Church. Family members said he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and going to family reunions.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Debra Lou; and his first wife.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Rick Ferguson (and wife, Evonne) of Portales and Monty Porter (Patti) of Montague, Texas; two daughters, Deanne McAfee (Eldon) of Arch and Raylene Gore (and fiancé, Gary Essary) of Portales; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Hazel Montague of Portales; two brothers-in-law, Lewis Montague (Marsha) of Andrews, Texas, and Bert Montague (Roberta) of House; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn McGann (Dorman) of Springerville, Ariz., and Beth Tucker (Dan) of Hobbs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Walter Huber and Scott Reeves will officiate the services.

Burial will be at the Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Steve and Dewayne Levacy, Jeff and Bobby Welch, Wayne Garcia and Roy Dever.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.