John Day Jr.

John Columbus Day Jr., 84, passed away peacefully June 11, 2010 at his home in Ruidoso Downs, NM.

Mr. Day, better known to locals as J.C., came into this world on October 24, 1925, the youngest of five children born to Dollie Brooks and John Columbus Day Sr. of Snyder, Texas.

J.C. entered the Navy in 1944 serving 28 months in the South Pacific as a Navy Armed Guard Gunner aboard Merchant Vessels.

After discharge frm the service, Mr. Day returned to Snyder, TX where he worked for his father as a truck driver. There he met Betty Ray Roberds, the cutest little waitress, at the local coffee shop. J.C. would save his nickels for a cup of coffee just so he could see her. The two were married November 24, 1949.

The Days moved their family of four children to Ruidoso in 1960 where J.C. worked as a finish carpenter until a sledding accident shattered his hip. While still recovering, Mr. Day went to work as Maintenance Supervisor for Ruidoso Hospital which later became Lincoln County Medical Center.

A former active member of Ruidoso Evening Lions Club, J.C. retired from the hospital in 1978 and later was elected and served as Mayor or Ruidoso Downs from 19821986.

Mr. Day. very well known for his light hearted sense of humor and joke of the day, is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty one son, John Day III of Ruidoso two daughters, Mickie Reynolds of Ruidoso and Alisa DayKenyon of Carrizozo 3 grandsons, six granddaughters and fourteen great grandchildren. Mr. Day was preceded in death in 1996 by his eldest son, Stephen Ray Day.

A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, June 16, at 2:00 PM in the Gateway Church of Christ in Ruidoso.

The family has requested memorials to Lincoln County Community Health Council Mobile Food Pantry in care of The Counseling Center, 206 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345 with Mobile Food Pantry on the memo line.

Cremation was under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso