Doyal Ray Gillespie

Doyal Ray Gillespie beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at age 83 in Houston, Texas. Doyal was born in 1941 to Doyal V. and Rhea Gillespie in Mesquite, New Mexico. In 1951 he moved to Arrey, New Mexico with his family. Doyal graduated from Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico in 1960. As a teenager he worked on the family farm, driving a tractor or cotton picker and other jobs. He worked on the farm full time after he graduated from high school.

In 1962 Doyal married his high school sweetheart Carol Longstreth. In 1963 their first child, Christine was born, their second child Steven was born in 1966. Their third child Michelle was born in 1969.

In the 1970’s Doyal was elected Sierra County, New Mexico County Commissioner for two terms. He later worked in Arizona, Truth or Consequences and Albuquerque, New Mexico before working for three years as a Teaching Parent at Father Flanagan’s Boys Home in Boys Town, Nebraska. In 1984 he moved to Houston, Texas where he worked as a Teaching Parent and Foster Care Case Manager at Houston Achievement Place for many years. He later worked as a courier and chauffeur before retiring in 2009.

Doyal had many volunteer jobs throughout his life including both in his neighborhood and at church during his later years. In the neighborhood, Doyal drove for Citizens on Patrol. At church Doyal was an usher, a money counter, served on the Parish Council, as well as working with the ACTS program, and the annual Fall Festival.

Doyal was preceded in death by many beloved family members, including his parents Doyal V. and Rhea Gillespie. His brothers Richie and Danny Gillespie, his sister Jeanene Gillespie, sister-in-law Amy Gillespie (Dwight), niece Amber Gillespie and nephew Alan Gillespie. Doyal is survived by his wife, Carol Gillespie. Brother Dwight Gillespie. Daughters Christine Faulkner (Tom), Michelle Miller (Jeff) and son Steven Gillespie (Kim). Grandchildren Chase Faulkner (Alyson), Wyatt Faulkner (Morgan), Cade and Trevor Faulkner, Nicholas Gillespie, Julian Miller and Kelsey Miller (Ian Rhineheart). Great Grandchildren Hunter and Hayes Faulkner, Kennedy McClendon and Ivey Mae Faulkner. Sisters-in-law Sylvia Gillespie (Richie) and Mandy Gillespie (Danny) and many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Saint Jerome’s Catholic Church in Houston,Texas on October 25, 2024 at 10:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 with a reception following in the Parish Activity Center. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Las Cruces, NM on November 26, 2024. Arrangements handled by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services.