Gary Eugene Morton died on August 25, 2025, with his wife and children by his side. He was born February 07, 1964, to Harold Morton and Elivira Sanchez Morton in Alpine, Texas. Gary was a lifelong resident of Valentine, Texas. He married Lisa Weigart on April 23, 1979, in a small ceremony conducted by Justice of the Peace A.P. Flores, his first as JP. Gary and Lisa were married for 46 years. His daughter Julie Kaye was born on November 18, 1979, then 15 years later his son Aaron Cole was born on October 11, 1993, followed shortly after by Kimberly Nicole on New Years Eve, December 31, 1994.

Gary attended Valentine ISD and was a tall asset to the Pirate basketball team, reaching 6’3” by the 8th grade and still growing another 3 inches. He always had the desire to drive a truck, like his father and many others in his small town he looked up to. Gary was known to pull his little red wagon around as a child, humming through gearshifts like the big rigs. Gary applied for a Commercial Drivers License to support his young family at the age of 16. The CDL was issued to him, only later to have the State of Texas revoke it until he was 18. Nonetheless, “Tall Boy” hit the road for W. A. “Slim” Brown and B&H Trucking’s Red Brown of Valentine. Red had him haul a truckload of beer at a time he wasn’t of legal age to drink it. His first of many “Smokey and the Bandit” adventures on the open road where he was given the handle “Poco Loco” and made many friends. He was known for having the cleanest, shiniest trucks on the road, polishing-up Red’s last truck used in Red’s funeral on August 2, 2025.

After logging millions of miles on the road by 2021, Gary had heart surgery. He followed his cardiologist’s orders and lost 80 pounds with diet and riding a bike several miles a day to regain his health and his medical certification to drive a truck again. He was especially blessed during the last years of his life. He was a devoted husband and Pop, he cared for the elderly and helped others in his community with odd jobs. He was the bellringer at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valentine and kept God’s word even closer to his heart. Gary was a big teddy bear who had no enemies and never hurt a fly. He loved animals and had a few he would dress-up in hats and bandanas to ride-around town with him, and he especially loved his last bull dog, Pearl. He was heartbroken for animals that were neglected or in need of care.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Vera Morton; in-laws Clayton E. Weigart Sr. and wife Eva; brother Robert Alan Morton; many aunts, uncles, tias, tios, cousins and primos. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; daughters Julie Kaye and Kimberly Nicole Morton of Alpine and Pflugerville, Texas, respectively; son Aaron Cole Morton and wife Eryana also of Pflugerville; granddaughters Madisyn Elizabeth and London Noelle; brother Jack Morton and nephews Shannon and Steve Morton of Iowa; sister Jeannie Semmler and family of South Carolina, and many more Sanchez and Weigart family members.

Pallbearers named to honor Gary’s life are Robert Haynes, William Weigart, Clayton E. Weigart Jr., Wesley Miller, Donald Miller, Jason Miller, Zachary Weigart, Clayton Weigart, Jesus Navarrete, Victor Sanchez, Randy Sanchez, Nico Trevizo, Eden Jimenez, Eugene Jimenez, Jack Morton, Shannon Morton, and Steve Morton.

A Rosary Mass will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valentine located on Highway 90. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, with a private burial for the family at a later date. Lunch will be served at the Valentine Community Complex at 100 Bell Street.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Valentine Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gary’s name or to an animal rescue. To help with medical expenses and the fight for #justiceforGary, a GoFundMe account has been set-up for Gary Eugene Morton, Valentine, Texas under Kathy Haynes, administrator. Click here or copy and paste link to donate (online post): https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-gary-morton-in-the-fight-of-his-life.

Cremation service and online condolences are under the direction of Perches Funeral Home, Westside, El Paso, Texas.