Clarence C.O. Brady

Clarence Orval “C.O.” Brady, 81, a resident of the Fort Sumner valley died Monday, July 2, 2012 at his home following an illness. C.O. was born September 6, 1930 in Portales, NM to the home of Clarence Patrick and Sarah Venor (Griffen) Brady.He was reared in Albuquerque and Tucumcari, NM where he attended school. C.O. worked for 29 years with the New Mexico Highway Department construction crew. He traveled throughout New Mexico from Raton to Carlsbad and Gallup to Glenrio. He retired on January 1, 1985. C.O. served in the United States Army from March 27, 1951 to December 27, 1952. He received the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, and the UN Service Medal. He married Betty Lumpee on January 20, 1951 in Portales, NM. To this union were born four children. They made their home in Fort Sumner in 1974. Clarence was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching all God’s creation. Following the death of his first wife, Clarence married Alice (Lancaster) Eldridge on September 23, 1989. Clarence is preceded in death by his first wife Elizabeth Rey (Betty) Brady; his father Clarence Brady, his mother Sarah Brady, a brother Frank Bertrum Brady, and a sister Lillie Alice Boyd. Survivors include his wife Alice Brady of the home in the Fort Sumner valley, two daughters Margaret Kay Lee and husband Robert of Las Cruces, NM; Shirley Fay Garcia and husband Rudy of Portales, NM; two sons Rusty Brady of Ruidoso, NM, Shannon Wayne Brady and wife Stefanie of Clovis, NM; a step-son Charles Wesley Eldridge and wife Becky of Whitier, Alaska, two step-daughters Nancy Carol Brown and husband Doug of Farmington, NM, Rebecca Boyett and husband Ron of Peralta, NM, a brother Charlie Patrick Brady and wife Esteline of Clovis, NM, a brother in law James “Butch” Lumpee of Albuquerque. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and many friends. Visitation hours will be Wednesday, July 4, 2012 from 1PM to 6PM at the funeral home and Thursday from 9AM to 10AM at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, NM with Rev. Nathan Lawrence officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside services and Military Honors will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of Mount Moriah Lodge #54 AF&AM, Bob Addison, Tim Stanford, Dwayne Milliron, John Nuttall, Bob Hunt, and Rodney McClain. Honorary pallbearers include James Lee, Joey Garcia, Michael Garcia, Toby Brady, Mathew Brady, David Meeks, Brad Meeks. and Dana Moyer. The family requests memorial contributions in C.O.'s memory to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 810 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com