Ezra Ira Nash Jr.

Ezra Ira Nash, Jr devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather and loyal brother
peacefully passed away after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family at his lake
home in Kingsland, TX at the time of his passing.
Ezra Ira Nash, Jr was born May 10, 1936 to Ezra Ira Nash, Sr and Dixie Mae Nash (Williams) in
Paducah, TX. He grew up in a small wooden farmhouse in Delwin, TX. He always told his
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he walked to school uphill, both ways, and
in snow up to his waist. He also told his family about working at the movie theater in Paducah,
making 5 cents per week running movie reels between theaters. When Junior was only 11 years
old, his father passed away in the family home, thus catapulting the young boy into years of
learning the value of hard work, as well as perseverance. While in his teens, he traveled
between California, New Mexico and Texas doing what he could to earn a living. His travels
ultimately led to his long career in the oilfield as well as meeting a sweet and beautiful young
lady named Gay Gaddy, whom he married on September 17, 1954 in Hobbs, New Mexico. They
were blessed with two children; son Gaylon Hoyt and daughter, Belinda Kay.
Junior worked tirelessly to provide for his family and at the age of 23, became one of the
youngest tool pushers of that time. Over the years, he oversaw the daily operation of a drilling
rig, which was not for the faint of heart. It was days, even weeks of being away from his family. It
was missed holidays, injuries and even a blow out on one of his rigs. He did all of this to provide
for his family. He took several family members on trips around the states of Texas, California,
Colorado and New Mexico just to name a few. He and Gay loved having family members at their
lake house in Kingsland. They spoiled their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids with trips to the
slab, more boat rides than you can count, paddle boat rides, jet ski rides and probably had stock
in honey buns with the number of boxes he bought over the years.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Ezra and Dixie, his step-father Bryan Williams, his
older brother Burgess Nash, Burgess’ wife Edna Joyce and his beloved wife, Gay. Those left to
share his legacy are his son Gaylon Nash and his wife Cindy of Odessa, TX, daughter Belinda
Benesh and her husband Kevin of North Richland Hills, TX; five loving grandchildren, Brandy
Wilson and her husband David of San Antonio, TX; Michael Nash and his wife Hattie of
Watauga, TX; Laura Mitchell and her husband Jake of Ft. Worth, TX; Rebecca Gillespie and her
husband Drew of Carrollton, TX; Scott Benesh and his fiancée Lindsey Almquist of Dallas,TX;
ten adoring great-grandchildren; Tyler Wilson and his wife Cecilia of Seguin,TX; McKinzie
Wilson and his wife Morgan of Leesville, LA; Chance Wilson and his wife Cheyenne of Seguin,
TX; M’Kenna, Jacoby and Fallyn Nash all of Watauga, TX; Case, Crawford and Larkin Mitchell
all of Ft. Worth, TX; Charlie Gillespie of Carrollton, TX as well as his eleventh great-grandchild
due to arrive this summer; two precious great-great grandchildren; Nash and Tucker Wilson of
Seguin,TX as well as his third great-great grandchild due this summer; his loyal younger brother
Larry Nash and his wife Gail of Buchanan Dam, TX and sister-in-law Bobbie Virgel of Sweeney,
TX. Junior is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved dearly.
There will be a visitation at Zapata Funeral Home, Paducah, TX on Friday, May 16, 2025 from
6:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 am in the chapel of
Zapata Funeral Home with interment following at Buck Creek Cemetery with Kevin Benesh and
Rev. David Wilson officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Zapata Funeral
Home of Paducah,TX.
The family would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to three of Junior’s
great-grandsons; Tyler, McKinzie and Chance Wilson for selflessly caring for their Grandpapa in
his final days.