Samuel (Trey) Robert Etter III

Samuel (Trey) Robert Etter III was born September 29, 1967, in Hobbs, New Mexico to Samuel
Robert Etter Jr. and Betty Hilliard Etter. Trey passed away in his home with family after a short
illness, October 20, 2023, in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Trey was born, raised, and lived his life in Hobbs, New Mexico. He was a graduate of Hobbs
High School. On February 19, 1988, Trey married the love of his life Stephanie Dutton. They
were blessed with 35 years together. Trey knew from their 2nd date that she was the one he was
going to marry and told her so! He loved her dearly and took care of her always. They had two
daughters, Destiny Anne Etter whom they were blessed with for a very short time, and Heather
Yvonne Etter. Heather has blessed them with three grandchildren to light up their lives, Lochlan,
Rowan, and Aria. Trey was an avid outdoor sportsman. He loved Hunting, Fishing, Camping,
just the outdoors in general. Trey also loved blacksmithing, he was a member of the Hobbs Gun
Club and a terrific marksman. When Heather was a young girl, Trey liked to build and launch
model rockets with her. To keep the tradition going, he recently purchased and sent rockets for
her to build and launch with his grandkids. He had also decided that they needed fishing poles
and had purchased the gear for them. He was not able to get it to them before he left us but, when
they receive it, they will know how excited he was for them to fish with grandpa and grandma.
Trey enjoyed spending time with his family so very much. He was always thinking of and
teaching them all the things he could share with them. From how to love, to gun safety, and so
much more. Trey was always helping others as well; he could always see the opportunities to
reach other people and just be there for them no matter the need. Trey loved animals. He and
Stephanie have cats, and bunny rabbits that he loved to watch play. He also loved dogs (maybe
even more). For those of you that had the honor to know him you know he liked to kid around
and had an ornery streak! Even with that he was a well-respected man.
Trey worked for Lea County Detention Center. He was thought of highly by his co-workers and
will be missed. He will also be missed by some of his charges at the detention center. It was not
unusual for people that he had guarded to walk up and visit with him when he saw them in
public. That says a lot about the person that he was. The world lost some of its light when we lost
Trey.
Trey was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Jr. and Betty, his sweet baby girl Destiny, his
grandparents, and sister Anita Carr.
Trey is survived by his loving wife Stephanie, his daughter Heather, grandchildren Lochlan,
Rowan, Aria, sisters Debra Dutton (Charlie), Cheri Lareau (Andy), and numerous nieces and
nephews.
A Memorial Service is to be announced at a later date.