Clarence Ray Zachery, known to pretty much everyone everywhere as Putty, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. He was born in Midland on April 18, 1955, to Galberson and Dorothy Dean Zachery, the fourth of the nine Flying Zachery boys. He was a proud Midland High Bulldog, playing both offense and defense in football and competing on the State Championship baseball team in 1973. He graduated in 1973 and went to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, on a football scholarship. In 1973, he married his high-school sweetheart, Cheryl Neal, and they raised two children, of whom Putty was so very, very proud: his son, Clay (officially named, of course, Clarence Ray Zachery II), and his adored daughter Rachel Nichole.Putty’s lifelong career was with Chevron/Texaco, but his heart was in Little League, where he proudly coached decades of players, including his son and grandson, and energetically argued with the umpires. He loved baseball and playing golf with his boys, and he loved barbecuing for family and friends. He loved eating. And if you knew Putty, you know this is true: he loved talking. Putty loved to talk and he loved to argue. He could, and did talk, to anyone about anything, and he was indefatigable. It was best to just listen and nod. He loved people and he had friends from every part of his life, from the boys he fought with at Dezavala Elementary, to his fellow choir members at Midland High, to his co-workers and fellow Little League coaches and players, to the other outpatients at the Midland Dialysis Center. He adored his grandchildren.Putty is preceded in death by his parents, Galberson and Dorothy, and by his older brother, Eddie, and his younger brother, James. He leaves behind his daughter, Rachel, his son Clay and daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and their children, Christian and Courtney; his ex-wife, Cheryl; his partner, Lucy Galindo and her son, Nick; his brothers Galberson, Earl, Sam, Jerry, Terry, and Carlos; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many, many friends.The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday, August 18, 2017 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, August, 19, 2017 at Mid-Cities Community Church in Midland.Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Kidney Fund or your local dialysis center.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
