Raymond Block

Raymond “Ray” Block, 84 a resident of House, NM died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. Ray was born April 10, 1927 in Halfway, TX to the home of Harold G. and Elsie (Worthington) Block. As a child he moved with his family to a farm south of Clovis; the family later moved to Portales where they continued to farm. In 1939 the family moved to Ima, NM where they operated a large wheat farm and also did custom harvesting. Ray worked for the B.F. Walker, Agua Negra Ranch south of Santa Rosa for three years. He married Senith “Shug” McCullough on May 8, 1949 at the House Methodist Church. Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 22, 1952 and served during the Korean Conflict with the 653rd Field Artillery Battalion. He received the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Ray was honorably discharged on May 21, 1954. He returned to the B.F. Walker Ranch where he worked four more years. Ray and Shug made their home in Tucumcari where he worked 9 ½ years for the Arch Hurley Conservancy District. He owned and operated Ray’s Truck Service in Tucumcari for 30 years and retired in 1999. His son and grandson continue to operate the family business. Following his retirement Ray and Shug moved to House, NM. According to Shug, he “wanted a home on the side of the road where he could be a friend to man.” Ray was a longtime member of House Methodist Church, and the V.F.W. in Tucumcari. He loved to weld and build things. His family says anytime he bought a new item within days he would have taken it apart, modified it and made it work better. Ray is preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter Karen Block in 1955; three sisters Hazel Traughber, Phyllis Patton, and Hilda Sparks. Survivors include his wife Shug Block of the family home in House; daughter Sharon Harris and husband Wayne of House; a son Randy Block and wife Carol of Tucumcari; grandson Bret Block and wife Melanie, great-grandson Gage Block and a great-granddaughter Skyler Block all of Tucumcari; one sister Sally Whitesides of Farwell, TX and a brother Harold Block and wife Jean of Harrison, AR. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 30, 2011 from House Methodist Church with Rev. Sherman Martin officiating. Burial will follow at House Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Block, Steve Yarbrough, Donnie Sparks, Kelly Sparks, Johnny Patton, John McCullough, and Paul Patton. Honorary bearers will include Ross Sinclair, Glenn Fistner, Maurice Runyon, and all his many friends and neighbors. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the House Methodist Church in memory of Raymond Block. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.