Julian Bray Memorial
This memorial is in honor of Julian Bray and to support his loving wife of 24 years, Amy Bray. Julian (age 57) passed away at home on July 2, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Amy and daughter Nina were with him through the end, devoting all their time to his care. Julian and Amy shared a love of their ranch, their family, their horses, and their other animals. Julian was a true horseman, a very giving man and served as a horse trainer for Pasture Time Equine Sanctuary, which was the best job of his life. He enjoyed every minute of it and loved helping people and animals. He loved every cat, dog, horse, mule or donkey that crossed his path! Not everyone gets to have a job that so aligns with one’s passion. Julian didn’t have an easy life, though. He grew up in adversity as an American Indian in Oklahoma and was truly a self-made man. He was adopted at 7 years old after a very rough, young life of abuse.
Julian and Amy had the best years of their lives together, and were always up for an adventure, especially if riding horses was involved, or rescuing an unfortunate equine. Unfortunately, Julian began to experience hip pain about two years ago, and attributed it to a pain from surgery due to a bad horse injury (shattered hip), but it turned out to be a form of unknown, primary cancer. This is a rare form of cancer untreatable by modem medical care and usually not seen until later years when people are much older. Over the next two years, he was in severe pain and grew too ill to continue to work. This past year was extremely difficult for Julian, Amy, and Nina, as Julian grew sicker and weaker. They did everything they could possibly do to keep him comfortable, and desperately sought a miracle. They were able to let him live out his final days at home on the ranch, which he loved, but it took a heavy emotional toll on both Amy and Nina. Julian fought hard until the very end—he didn’t want to leave them.
If you’re an endurance rider, or you have ever attended one of Eron Howell’s rides in Bandera or at LHI, then you have personally benefited from Amy’s selfless, hard work to put on those rides. When you rode a beautifully marked trail, with every hole filled in and every overhead branch trimmed back; then enjoyed a delightful dinner with your friends; or had an emergency or a problem that needed attention at the ride, Amy helped make it possible. She was always there making sure it went smoothly and everyone had a great time. She was marking the trails, cutting branches, tying the ribbons, serving you dinner, working the desk, cleaning the stopped-up potties at LHI, or finding a vet in an emergency. You may not have known it at the time, but she’s been there, working to make sure you had a wonderful weekend, and lifelong memories. Julian was also helping too, before he fell ill.
Right now, Amy needs substantial financial assistance to help put her life back together, as Julian wasn’t able to work this past year. Amy wasn’t able to work very much either, since she was Julian’s full-time caregiver. Unfortunately, he had no life insurance. He wanted her to have his truck free and clear, but sadly they found out the day before he died that it would not be paid off at his passing. Right now, it is imperative that Amy be able to keep their ranch, rebuild her horse business and her life. They fell behind on many bills during the past year, so this money will be used to pay off medical bills and other personal expenses. We realize this is a terrible time to ask people for financial assistance due to Covid-19, but if you are fortunate to still have a good job or retirement income, and can help a fellow rider and TERA member, who has worked tirelessly to our sport for over a decade, we ask you to donate what you can. Please consider giving what you might have spent going out to dinner, or entering a ride, or some other expense you no longer have during the covid-19 lockdown. Your contribution will go a long way toward helping Amy and Nina move forward with their lives.
Amy and the extended family members thank you greatly for your generosity at this difficult time. Every penny will be cherished to help our family and the animals. It was his wish to keep everything going rescuing and helping people.
If mailing contributions: Amy Bray, 306 Spring Valley Trail | Harper, TX 78631
