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Ray Earl Johnston, 90, a longtime resident of Moriarty, NM, passed away peacefully at Lovelace Hospice Tuesday, October 12, 1999 in Albuquerque. Ray was born June 13, 1909 in a covered wagon in McCook, Nebraska. His family was on their way to the San Luis Valley in Colorado, where Ray spent his childhood. He enlisted in the Army in 1931 and was in the 2nd Signal Corps for three years and then in the 7th Signal Corps for three years, stationed at Ft. Sam, Houston, TX. He met his future wife in San Antonio, TX. They married June 17, 1937 and moved to Moriarty. Ray was Mayor of Moriarty from 1962-72 and on the Board of Directors for the Central New Mexico Electric Coop for 27 years, 1963-91. He also served as President for a number of years. He was an electrician for over 50 years, a 60 year member and past Master of Army Lodge #1105 A.F. & A.M. San Antonio, TX, Order of Eastern Star, Estancia #23, a member of the Bethal United Methodist Church in Moriarty. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Alma Johnston; his brother, Ralph; and sister, Florence. He enjoyed fly fishing on the Rio Grande River and being at his cabin in Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Mildred of 62 years, she survives him of the home in Moriarty; two sons, Ray Jr. and wife, Debra of Wickenburg, AZ, Richard and wife, Carlene of John Day, OR; one daughter, Nancy Tillery and husband, Hi of Moriarty; five grandchildren, Jimmy Tillery and wife, Christine of Kansas City, KS, Wendy Tillery of Albuquerque, Allison Tillery of Moriarty, Tami Rougeau and husband, Thom of Reno, NV, and Wayne Johnston and wife, Janet of Jefferson City, MT; several step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Moriarty Community Center in Moriarty, NM, Thursday, October 14, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Pete Peterson officiating. A Masonic service will take place at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery in Moriarty. Pallbearers are Jerry Britton, J.C. Alderson, Charlie Clark, Al Thomas, Carl Cannon, Charlie Bates, J.T. Turner, and Pete Candelaria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cemetery Tree Fund, Box 21330, Moriarty 87035 or Lovelace Hospice, 5655 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. The family would like to thank the personnel at Manor Care Sandia and Lovelace Hospice for the loving care they gave Ray. Funeral services are entrusted to Harris-Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty, NM.
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