Carl James Ray, 74, of Greenville died Friday, Dec 8th at his son’s home in Blanchard, Oklahoma after a courageous battle against cancer. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec 13th at 2:00 pm at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home, 5100 Interstate 30 East, Greenville with Minister Randy Daw officiating. Burial will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park in Greenville. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Carl was born June 18, 1938 in Dearborn, Michigan to Clifford and Lucille Ray. He graduated from Adamson High School in Dallas in 1957. He married Patricia Ann Duffy on February 3, 1962 in Dallas, Texas.
Carl served two years in the United States Marine Corp, worked for Morton Foods for 20 years as an independent food distributor and served as a Rural Mail Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years until retirement. He attended the Johnson Street Church of Christ in Greenville and the First United Methodist Church in Blanchard. Carl enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports, flying model airplanes, ranching and the outdoors. In his later years, he split his time between Greenville and Blanchard, Oklahoma. Carl was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to many and will be deeply missed. His faith, laughter and good nature were a joy to all who crossed his path. Carl never met a stranger. During his almost 3 year struggle with cancer, he relied on the Lord’s grace and never complained or questioned God’s plan.
Survivors include his son Greg and wife Linda Ray of Blanchard, Oklahoma; daughter Melanie and husband Ryon Gilliam of Greenville; sister-in-law Suellen and husband Ron Meilleur of Pineville, Louisiana; brothers Charles and wife Jolynn Ray of Kissimmee, Florida and Edwin and wife Terry Ray of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren that were the greatest joys of his life, Cole & Austin Gilliam and Zachary, Alexandra & Jacqueline Ray; several nieces and nephews; and numerous devoted longtime friends.
His was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Marie Ray on Nov 21, 1932, his mother, Lucille Mary Barton on Feb 16, 1990, his father, Clifford C. Ray on Aug 10, 2001 and his much loved wife, Patti on Mar 21, 2002.
Pallbearers are Mickey Kleber, Danny Keene, Chris Ray, Cole Gilliam, Zach Ray, and Austin Gilliam. Honorary pallbearers are Alexandra & Jacqueline Ray, Charles Ray, Andy Priest, Larry Godwin, Tim Gilliam and Jim Cleveland.
The family would like to thank Odyssey Hospice of Texas, Heartland Hospice of Oklahoma, the Texas Oncology Center at Hunt Regional Medical Center, Dr. Timothy Ellington, Dr. Meera Shreedhara and Minister Randy Daw. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund in Blanchard, OK, the Johnson Street Church of Christ Building Fund in Greenville, TX or the American Cancer Society.