Lubbock- David Goodwin Bray Jr., 73 of Lubbock, Texas went to be with his Lord on Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Lubbock, Texas.

David was born Friday, September 24, 1943 in Lubbock, Texas. He was the son of the late David Bray and the late Mary Kolb Bray. He married his college sweetheart, Canzada Lee, August 21, 1965 at the 2nd Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. David graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas Texas in 1961 and went to college at Texas Tech University. David was a life member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and 1966 graduate of TTU. David started farming after graduating Tech and continued the farm life until his retirement in 2001. David enjoyed model trains, hunting and water skiing with the family. He loved to follow Lady Raider Basketball and playing 42 with friends and family. David and Canzada sponsored a foreign exchange student, Nadia Dobzhevich, who calls David and Canzada her America mom and dad. He was a member of Westmont Christian Church and a devoted Christian, husband, and father.

David is survived by his wife, Canzada Bray; a daughter; Nedra Bray and favorite son-in-law Trey Kirk of Austin, TX; sister, Joan Bray and husband Carl Hoagland of Saint Louis, MO.; and the special daughter (exchange student) Nadia Dobzhevich from Moscow, Russia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Jording.

A Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM on Monday at Westmont Christian Church located at 4808 Utica Avenue Lubbock, Texas 79414 with the David Clifford officiating.

The family will have a visitation with friends immediately after the service. Memorial contributions may be sent to Westmont Christian Church 4808 Utica Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79414 or Texas Boys Ranch, Inc. P. O. Box 5665 Lubbock, TX 79408.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.englundsfuneralservices.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal from Sep. 3 to Sep. 4, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for David Bray

19 Entries

Larry Clark

January 12, 2023

I attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas with David, and I knew his parents and sisters as we attended the same church in Dallas, Cochran Chapel Methodist Church. Have fond memories of him, and I am so glad I found this, as he was a great friend. Larry Clark

Cousin john jones

August 28, 2022

I have again read the messages from 7 years ago. As then, they also now remind me how lucky I am to sign this as Cousin.

Staci McClellan Flournoy

September 15, 2017

I'm so sorry to hear about David's passing. He and my dad enjoyed so many times together - Dad always had a story to tell about whatever they'd been doing. We so enjoyed taking Dad and David to a Tech football game a few years ago. David was always just such fun to be around.

Bob Shintaku

September 7, 2017

I was so sad to hear of David's passing. We were friends in elementary school in Uvalde until I moved to California with my family in 1956. We got together when I visited Lubbock in 2010. It was a memorable visit. My condolences to Canzaga and family.

John Jones

September 4, 2017

Cousin David and I were friends before we even met because our mother's were sisters and that's the way cousins should be, they said. We never lived in the same place at the same time, but each summer as the sisters got together, David and I, so near in age, tried their patience as we would carry on together. In the early days, we didn't really know the difference between our mothers and our aunts. Each, and actually any known adult was to be obeyed...period...without question. David and I learned that the hard way. In later years, we once discussed who loved us more, our mothers or our aunts.

That was the way it was with David and me. Because of those early shared experiences, whether it was a second or six years since past thoughts were exchanged, we could always either pick up where we last were or just simply start anew.

With conviction, confidence, consistency, clarity, and grace, he would present himself and ideas. With the genuineness of his smile and the sparkle of his eyes, I would be blessed by his presence. From afar and even with long intervals, he was a portal to understanding.

With this said, I add my voice to all those who will miss him. I look forward to the time when time is of no essence that we again will renew our cousinly friendship because that is the way our mothers planned it and expect it for us...with and by God's Grace.
Cousin John Jones

Richard (Dick) Ward

September 4, 2017

I knew David in high school and at Tech. We were brothers in Alpha Phi Omega and spent a lot of time together. I learned to give him insulin shots if needed. I went to the farm in Clarendon many times and he patiently taught this engineer how to enjoy the farm life. During those years at Tech, David became the brother I never had as well as my best friend and confidant. I will miss him a lot and there's a hole in my heart.

Brent Moore

September 4, 2017

Canzada, You and Nedra are in our thoughts and Prayers. We were very lucky to know David. Great man with a heart of Gold. He will be missed

Betsy Edwards

September 4, 2017

David had such a warm, giving,
loving soul. I so admired his
love of life and love for any
and everyone who came into
his life. Canzada and David's love for each other was unmeasurable. David was the
Salt of the Earth. His loving nature will be embed in all
our hearts forever.
All our love,
Monte and Betsy Edwards
Kelly and Russell Moore
Casey Edwards

Martha Tita Williams

September 4, 2017

Canzada, Nedra, & Trey,
I am so saddened by the loss of cousin David. He was one of the world's truly good men and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, friend, and relative, a true Christian, and a role model for those with juvenile diabetes. Although diabetes added difficulty to his life, he handled it with grace and took very good care of himself living much longer than would normally be expected.

I will miss his bragging how he was the "younger cousin" (if only by two measly weeks!) and all the ribbing he would dish out when we were young. He always loved a good tease and laugh. David and I had an especially great time on our grandmother's farm outside of Clarendon, TX when we were around 12 years old. During that visit, took me on a hunting trip I'll never forget. Coyotes were involved along with frenzied flight back to the farm house during which David got hung up on a barbed wire fence. He teased me forever after about how scared I was although I always reminded him he didn't stick around to greet the coyotes either and he wasn't very good at clearing a barbed wire fence.

I'll miss our rivalry regarding girls' college basketball. Of course, David was a strong Texas Tech supporter and we're UConn fans, so needless to say, we were in the lead on that front. He did admit UConn was pretty good, so add honesty to his list of admirable traits.

Although we didn't get to see David often enough, I'll always be grateful for my fond memories of my very lovable "younger" cousin. Walt's and my thoughts are with Canzada, Nedra and Trey at this sad time. Although it's difficult to say goodbye, you'll always have beautiful memories of this wonderful man. We are all lucky to have shared our lives with him.

Micki McCasland

September 4, 2017

Canzada,
I'm so sorry for your loss ❤
You and David have always been such sweet and caring people.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Micki

LaJean Ellsasser

September 3, 2017

I'm sorry to hear about the passing of David. Your family are in my prayers though this difficult time.

Gerre Joiner

September 3, 2017

Truly personable, and thoughtful man. After our home was destroyed in the 1979 Wichita Falls tornado, David drove from Lorenzo to Wichita Falls. After he arrived, we visited for a few minutes. Then he said, "I want to buy you a suit." We drove to the still-standing men's clothing store and found a nice suit. David paid for it, hugged me, and drove back home. I will never forget this good man.

Marla Bray Sparks

September 3, 2017

David Goodwin Bray, Jr. was one of my cousins. Though he was an older "boy" cousin, David had such a sweet nature that he was always loving and kind to me, a little girl at the time. I remember worrying about David when he was diagnosed with diabetes as a boy. I admired him and was so proud of him that he lived his life fully, worked hard, and obviously did a good job with his health concerns over the years. Having been a teacher with students with health issues in my classroom, I know it was not always easy for him.

With his lovely Canzada by his side, they made a wonderful life together. I was always aware that they were devoted to each other. I also remember how his mother, my Aunt Mary, would tell me how good David and Canzada were to her when she moved to Lubbock.

Canzada--I know how much you will miss this dear man. I am sending you love and prayers for comfort from my home in Montana. Blessings to you and all of the family. With love, Marla Bray Sparks, 111 Altair Drive, Livingston, Montana 59047, 406-222-7860

Randy & Joann Smith

September 3, 2017

We are so sorry to hear about David passing, Canzada you and Negra and family are in our prayers.

Louis Fohn

September 3, 2017

I too, was a Uvalde classmate of David, and what friends we guys were! David had juvenile diabetes, and coped with it like no one I ever knew! We were in Troop 81 of Boy Scouts in Uvalde, and David didn't let his diabetes slow him down one bit! He simply packed his insulin, needles (non disposable back then), and additional meds. He disinfected his needles, in boiling water over a campfire, and gave himself injections as needed. We learned a lot from David about acceptance and courage! David's family relocated to San Antonio, & we all went our separate ways. Many years later, David & I were reunited, when he dropped in on me at my office in San Angelo, & it was just like old times! We & our wives shared visiting and meal times together, & whenever David & Canzada were heading to or from Uvalde and Lubbock, they would stop to visit when possible. David & Canzada & Ray & Elizabeth Rhodes of Uvalde were fast friends, and they too, shared many happy times together. I will miss David's upbeat and engaging friendship and personality. Still, I know that Our Lord will take very good care of David in his new home in heaven! In friendship, Louis Fohn

Christie Watts

September 3, 2017

David was a wonderful friend to my father and the entire Warren family. I'll never forget the lake house times. Sending prayers, hugs and love.

Nancy Warren

September 3, 2017

My husband and David were best friends from fourth grade until my huband's untimely death at 52. The first people he introduced me too were David and Canzada. Hence, our families became lifelong friends.
The Brays brought Nedra to Uvadle soon after she was born to meet our girls who were just a bit older than Nedra. Her first words according to her parents, were alpha and omega! We knew without a doubt that Nedra was one smart girl!

During the first trip to visit the Brays, the girls rode their tricycles in the house...what fun they had! Like their fathers, the girls became fast friends especially Leigh and Nedra who were closest in age.
Others events that stand out in my mind were buying a cabin with the Brays at White River Lake where we continued to make memories! The the A&M-Texas Tech rivalry between the guys resulted in many fun dinners at the 59 Yard Line. We took Nedra with us on a family trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. We discovered that Nedra's love of chocolate chip cookies would allow her to eat them in spite of obstacles she might encounter! I won't elaborate!
When Christie began college, we were out of the country so her dad insisted she go to Tech where David and Canzada could assist her if need be. As a matter of fact, all three girls attended Tech while Nedra attended UT. What!
The 50 years that we have known the Brays have enriched our lives and those of our children. When I called them last night to tell them of David's death, they were all saddened by the news. He will be missed by many including the four of us. We share your grief, Canzada, Nedra and Trey. We send love and prayers that your memories will sustain you in the days to come.
Love,

Nancy, Christie, Jenny and Leigh

Andy Bray

September 3, 2017

To all of David's family-you are in my thoughts and prayers

Talei Robinson

September 3, 2017

Our hearts and prayers are with you. Words are just words at times like this. We ask that the Lord help and comfort you at this time.

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