Bryan Pruitt “Booger” Ethridge, age 65, died on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at his home south of Clayton.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Clayton Methodist Church with Pastor Terrell Jones, pastor of the Trinity Fellowship Church in Clayton officiating. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.
Bryan Ethridge was born on May 3, 1960, in Dalhart, Texas to Thomas Bryan Ethridge and Billie Jean (Foltz) Ethridge. In high school Bryan was involved in FFA and he was a bare back rider in rodeo. He was a Denver Broncos fan. Lloyd Lansford “Meathead” nick named Bryan “Booger” during the CO2 gas boom in Clayton in the early 80’s. He was the owner/operator of Boogers Custom Iron Works from 1996-present. Bryan married Rachel Ruby (Gonzales) Ethridge, the love of his life on October 10, 2015, in Clayton. He was known as “Uncle Bryan”, “Uncle Booger” and “Uncle Moco” to numerous nieces and nephews. Bryan was a Welder, he worked for Rick Ford Welding, Southwest Metal Works for Jessie Long and did carpentry work for Danny Swagerty where he was known as the “Head Carpentonto”. Bryan came up with the word “Chukanize” a word he used for putting his own unique touch on anything. He built smokers, grills, large wood stoves, cattle guards, decorative curtain rods, disks, candle holders, the stairs at the Kokopelli and built numerous custom signs including the sign at the Clayton Gospel Church and the Wild Horse Steak House. He pretty much invented the “Bump Gate” for R.J. Cluck so he could open gates without having to get out of his truck. Bryan was a creature of habit and his favorite things to watch were Gun Smoke and The Price Is Right. Many people heard his Elmer Fud voice, Yellow Bellies and Spoiled Coke comments. He had a nickname for just about everyone he knew. Bryan loved pets, especially his shop kitty “Shadow” and his dogs, Jack, Luna, Waylon and Willie. Bryan was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Liberty Raine Ethridge Claypool on February 24, 2025.
SURVIVORS:
WIFE: Ruby Ethridge of Clayton, New Mexico.
1 DAUGHTER: Nettie Jean Ethridge of Clayton, New Mexico.
1 SON: Bryan James Ethridge and his wife Laura of Penrose, Colorado.
4 GRANDCHILDREN: Elaina Rae Raines, Curtis Dustin Claypool, Levi Cole Griffith and Hayes Thomas Ethridge.
1 BROTHER: Brad Carter Ethridge and his wife Bambi of Twin Falls, Idaho.
And many nieces, nephews and friends.
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