Alfred Leon Autrey

Alfred “Leon” Autrey 82 passed away April 8th, 2024.  The Celebration of Life will be on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Elida, NM.  Lunch will be served at the Elida Community Center at 12:00 pm and services will be held at 2:00 pm at the Elida School Gymnasium with graveside burial immediately following at the Elida Cemetery with Travis Autrey, Clint Autrey, Gary Don Autrey, Jr, Joe Don Autrey, Justin Autrey and Andrew Autrey serving as pallbearers.

Leon was born December 22, 1941 to Alfred and Marie Autrey in Mountainair, New Mexico.  After graduating high school in Mountainair, he enlisted into the US Air Force in 1959.  He briefly returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Darla Goar, June 17, 1961, only to return to his post in Las Vegas, Nevada until the end of his enlistment in 1963.  Leon and Darla then returned to Mountainair to begin their journey as ranch owners and soon added their sons Larry and James “Jimmy” Autrey to their herd in 1967.  Although Leon held many different jobs throughout his life, he would always return to his ranch roots, working cattle and riding horses.  He enjoyed sharing his real life experiences in his drawings, poems, and songs which later became a career as a Cowboy Poet and Singer/Songwriter.   Leon and Darla would then travel the country from California to New Jersey alongside Baxter Black and Jean Prescott.  In 2001, Leon and Darla sold the ranch in Mountainair and moved to enjoy a simpler life in Elida, New Mexico until his death.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Marie Autrey, his brothers Cecil, Gary Don, and James Autrey, and his sister Deana Autrey. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Darla Autrey, one brother Delbert Autrey, wife Marie Autrey, two sons Larry and Jimmy Autrey, grandson Joe Don Autrey, wife Kimmie Autrey, great granddaughter Kaydence Autrey, great grandson Oliver Autrey, grandson Justin Autrey, great granddaughter Leah Autrey, great grandson Seth Autrey, granddaughter Shelda Anthony, husband Cody Anthony, great grandson Garrett Anthony, great granddaughter Ayden Anthony, granddaughter Amanda Autrey, great grandson Elijah Autrey, great granddaughter Unity Autrey, grandson Andrew Autrey, and great granddaughter Lynelle Autrey.

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