Albert Leroy Bray

Albert Leroy Bray, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 17, 2026. It was peaceful with family members singing his favorite hymns to him. He took his last breath to "How Great Thou Art." He passed away in Citrus Heights, California. He was 85 years old.

Albert was born June 3, 1940, the first twin born to Grace and Irvin Bray at Park Lane Hospital in Salinas Ca. The twins became known since birth as "Stub and Bub" and "Teeny and Tubby." At 7 years old, his father moved the family onto a cattle ranch just outside King City. He and brother Alvin grew up in the saddle. At 12 years old they welcomed Mary Ann to the family.

He and Alvin graduated from King City High School in 1959. They both entered the Navy in December 1959 and served until late1962. They were on the same ship, which was on a "Goodwill Tour," visiting many parts of the world. They were present at the Statehood Celebrations of Hawaii and Alaska. You can read of their adventures in the book, The Cowboy, The USS Bexar, and The Bible, subtitled : How God Found Me, the story of Albert Bray which Albert wrote in 2023.

Albert met his "Yellow Rose" of Texas, Ina Marie Venable at the First Baptist Church of King City, where her brother-in-law was the first pastor. They were married in August 1963. They moved to Texas and both graduated from the University of Corpus Christie. He graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1968 from Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, while pastoring a church. They followed God's call to the mission field and served in Cartagena, Columbia from December 1970 to 1974. During these years, they raised Mary and Marsha to be bilingual and dance to the marimba players!

In 1976, they returned to King City, where Albert became an entrepreneur. He developed the Lockwood Subdivision of Rancho del Robles with his childhood friend Paul Martinus. He became a Real Estate Broker. He owned and operated the Blue Ribbon Dairy, Bray's Arco, later Bray's Exxon, the Cinderella Motel, the Mustang Arcade, the Mustang Fountain, the Greyhound Bus stop, and Western Union, King City Auto Wreckers and Bray's Towing. Later, a laundromat, a worship center, and Antiques 'R' Fun.

He wanted to be known as a "Gentleman Farmer." He raised a flock of sheep and supplied 4-H kids with market lambs, including two champions shown by Mary and Marsha. He loved his one-ton Suffolk draft horses which he trained to compete in horse pulling contests. During the King City Christmas Parade, Santa arrived in Albert's horse drawn wagon. Later in life, in Oregon, he rescued a wild Mustang and named him Amigo.

Five years after the passing of Mimi in 2010, he felt fortunate to meet Carol Kay, another Christian woman. They married in October 2015. They made the most of their time together, taking cruises and traveling to Texas and a memorable trip to England.

Albert was preceded in death by his father, Irvin Bray; and his mother, Grace, 25 years to the day. He was preceded by his first wife, Ina "Mimi" Bray. Albert is survived by his twin brother, Alvin (Eva Lou) Bray; sister, Mary Ann (Mike) Mallory; and his brother-in-law, David (Jeanette) Venable. Also, his daughters, Mary Bray and Marsha (Kevin) Blankenship; and grandchildren, Leanna Erickson, Sam Blankenship, Jessica (Lucas) Hufford, Tesslyn (Justin) Douglass, Luke (Evelyn) Hamilton, Tori (Colin) Ruthenberg and Logan Bray Hamilton. He was a great grandfather to: Wyatt and Weston Erickson and Tucker Hufford. Additionally, his second wife, Carol Kay-Bray and her children Michelle and Robert. Albert had "cousins by the dozens" as the family says, that will miss him, including nieces and nephews in Cali and Texas!

A funeral and worship service will be held at First Baptist Church in King City at 11am on May 29, 2026. Interment with military honors will be held at 12:30pm at the King City District Cemetery where he will join Mimi on her birthday. A Celebration of Life will be held at the San Lorenzo County Park, DeAnza Building at 1pm. It would be appreciated if family would bring salads and friends brought desserts.

Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · May 18, 2026