Ray Brannan

Ray Brannan, 88, of Odessa passed away on June 19th,2021.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday June 23, 2021, also at Sunset Memorial with Minister Mike Bartlett and Minister Jimmy Skiles officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Ray was born in Breckenridge, Texas to Homer and Jennie Brannan on October 14, 1932, and lived there until graduating high school then moving to West Texas to work in the oilfield.

He married his high school sweetheart, Margie Jane Thornton, in 1951, which lasted 19 years. In this marriage they had 3 children, Carol Jane, Michael Ray and Debra Ellan. Carol passed away in 1973 and Mike passed away in 2010, leaving behind 3 children, Josh Brannan, Rebecca O’ Rear and Kellan Brasher. He worked the oilfield in numerous locations in Texas and New Mexico until finally settling in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1962 and becoming manager of The Dia-Log Company in Hobbs.

In 1970 Ray married Evelyn Bredemeyer, which lasted 44 years. Evelyn had 2 children, Joyce Goodson and Marion Hurst, who passed away in 2012. There were 2 grandchildren, Bob Goodson and Steven Hurst, whom Ray and Evelyn adopted and raised. Steven passed away in 2003 and left behind 1 son, Cory.

Ray and Evelyn moved to Odessa in 1976 and was co-owner of Big B’s Wireline, eventually selling to Geosource. In 1985 he and his son, Mike, opened R & M Wireline Company which became a very successful business before retiring in 2005.

Ray was born country through and through. He was raised in Breckenridge and always loved anything to do with horses, even riding bareback broncs in the rodeos while in high school. He was the youngest of 6 children in a very close, honest, and loving family. His 5 older siblings preceded him in death.

He was known as a big cutting horse rider, winning numerous events throughout his life. He loved water skiing, fishing, riding horses and his dogs, whom he loved like his children.

Ray is survived by his daughter Debbie and her husband, Mart Thomson, Evelyn Brannan, stepdaughter Joyce Goodson, 4 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 nieces, and 4 nephews and their spouses, whom he loved dearly.

Pallbearers: Lee Brannan, Mack Brannan, Mike Wragg, Chester Bussell, Matt Spencer, and Tom Passmore.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dwain Brannan, Frank Love, Bob Goodson, Jim Montgomery, and Doug Moss.