Byron Ray Ensey

Byron Ensey, beloved husband, brother, and devoted stepfather, passed away peacefully at the early age of 70 on December 17, 2023 in Gainesville.

Byron was born in Odessa on July 17, 1953, to Dawson and Alice (Hudspeth) Ensey and grew up moving around the country from Texas to Montana.  His sister Sherry mentioned the fondness he had for scaring them with bugs and lizards while growing up in the country in their youth.

As he grew up, Mr. Ensey worked with his Dad in Altus, Oklahoma running heavy equipment at the Sand Plant, where he was known as one of the best operators to ever sit in a loader.  He later had a long run with Jago Construction in the mid-90s.  At this time, he met Gayna Freeman and they were married in 1996.  Byron took on the role of Stepdad, and two generations of step-grandchildren shared his home throughout he and Gayna’s life together.

Byron was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed his time in the woods hunting and trapping wild hogs, on the lakes and rivers fishing, and on his 3D archery range that he ran for almost three years on his family’s property.

Mr. Ensey supported our troops in Iraq as a civilian contractor with KBR for 4 years.  He vacationed around the world and developed a fondness for catching a cruise ship to the Caribbean.  Once he returned home, he continued to enjoy an occasional cruise and was always up for a good game of cards at the casino.  He soon joined his step-son, Chad, competing in Cowboy Fast Draw finding a hobby that related to his love for old westerns.  He lost Gayna in 2016 after twenty Years of marriage and later met Loretta Massey at The Gunfighter’s Ranch.

Byron and Loretta became friends and as their fondness grew, they began spending more and more time together.  They were married on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021, at the Shady Grove Methodist Church in Woodbine. Their love for each other was interrupted just as they were planning a new chapter in life together.

Mr. Ensey was preceded in death by his parents, father Dawson Ensey, mother Alice Hudspeth Ensey; step-mother Beverly Russell Ensey; sister Iris Spain; sister Angela Driskell; wife Gayna Ensey; step-daughter Christy Powell.

Byron is survived by his wife Lorretta; sister Sherry Floyd; step-son Chad Briley and wife Jackie; step-son Bobby Pinkstaff and wife Candace; step-daughter Stephine Pinkstaff; step-son Bobby Kennemore; step-daughter Rebecca Chote.   He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation and lunch for the family at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Forestburg Baptist Church.  Services will be held at 12:00 PM with Pastor Lonnie Dotson officiating.  Graveside will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville.