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Hugh M. Moutray, 88, of Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM passed away Saturday, April 22, 2000 at Landsun Homes, Inc. He was born on May 10, 1911 in El Campo, TX to James G. and Maud Belle Moutray. He grew up in the El Paso valley, graduating from Valley High School in Anthony, NM in 1929. Afterwards, he attended New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces for a short time. With money being scarce, he then went to work for the Texas State Highway Dept., driving a dump truck during the construction of the first paved highway between El Paso and Carlsbad. In 1930, during his trips to Eddy County, he ran across 328 acres of prime farmland between Carlsbad and Artesia. In 1931, his father, James G. Moutray and brother, Jim B Moutray joined in partnership with Hugh to create J.G. Moutray and Sons at Seven Rivers. He married Willo Dean Heston in Carlsbad on June 18, 1937. His father passed away in 1939 after which he and Jim B formed Moutray Brothers, Inc. He and his family made significant investments in this area including an expansion of their operations into ranching and crop dusting. In 1954, they took their crop dusters to Managua, Nicaragua. Hugh was later honored by being appointed Vice Counsel to Nicaragua, a decision which was made by both presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Anastacio Samosa of Nicaragua. In 1948, he and his friends chartered the People's State Bank in Artesic, later becoming Western Bank. In a separate venture in 1974, he joined Bank Securities, Inc., a bank holding company which later became United New Mexico, which in turn, sold to Norwest in 1994. His brother retired in 1971 and Hugh retired in 1978. Hugh was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He served on many boards including the Administrative Board. He also served on the board for Landsun Homes, Inc. in its early years. He served on the Investment Council for the State of New Mexico under Governor Bruce King. He had three distinct hobbies: cars, airplanes and work. His love of flying meant logging thousand of hours with over 10,000 hours in V-tailed Bonanzas. He was dedicated to his family, always showing much love and care through the years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim B in 1982; and two sister, Mrs. Hope Mashaw and Mrs. B. C. Graham. He is survived by his spouse, Willo Dean Moutray of Carlsbad, NM; one son, H. Gil Moutray and wife, Vicki of Carlsbad; two daughters, Dona Kippenberger of Thomas, OK and Barbara Rickert of Dallas, TX; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be Tuesday, April 25, 2000 at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Joe Wood of First United Methodist Church of Carlsbad and Dr. Charles Crutchfield of Central United Methodist Church of Albuquerque officiating. A private family Interment will take place on Monday, April 24, 2000. Memorial contributions may be made to Carlsbad Foundation where a fund for the First United Methodist Church and Landsun Homes will be established in honor of Hugh M. Moutray. Carlsbad Foundation, 116 S. Canyon St., Carlsbad, NM 88220. Denton-Funchess Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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