Raymond Carl "Grandpa Ray" Du Bose

1919 - 2011

Raymond Carl "Grandpa Ray" Du Bose, 92, a longtime resident of Robin Hood Estates in Mayhill, passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at Good Samaritan Society-Betty Dare in Alamogordo. He was born April 1, 1919, in Knox City, Texas, to Willard and Nannie Bell "Sparks" Du Bose.
Raymond was raised around Brownfield, Texas, and helped out on the family farm until enlisting in the U.S. Army on May 23, 1941. During World War II, Raymond was sent overseas and spent 27 months in the Aleutians. He was then sent to Europe, where he was captured by the German army on Dec. 15, 1944. After four months as a prisoner of war, Raymond was released. He served out his tour and was discharged Sept. 8, 1945.
Raymond spent most of his adult life working in the construction industry in and around west Texas. In 1983, he and his wife, Mary Grace Venable, relocated to Mayhill, where Raymond worked for the U.S. Forest Service for many years.
He was a hard-working and loving husband and father. He served his country honorably and loved being in the mountains with family and friends.
Grandpa Ray is survived by his only daughter, Diana Blount, of Lubbock, Texas; two grandsons, Patrick and Kevin; three sisters, Patsy, Winnie and Charlsie; brother Truman; and eight step-grandchildren from his marriage to Mary Grace: Dave, Tim, Susi, Beth, Jim, Ric, Bob and Joe.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia; his second wife Mary Grace; his only son Douglas; brother Clayton; and sisters Dorotha, Oleta and Mildred.
A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home.
Interment will follow at the James Canyon Cemetery in Mayhill.
The family will greet friends at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at the funeral home prior to services.
The Du Bose family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.hamiltonodell.com.