In memory of our Father
Retired Master Sergeant Carrol L. Ray, 69, of Arlington, TX formerly of Marshall, IL died Saturday February 25, 2006 in the Paris Community Hospital at Paris, IL.
He retired as a Master Sergeant with the 136 Airlift Wing of the Texas Air National Guard after thirty nine years of service. He had also formerly been a member of the 181st Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard at Hulman Field in Terre Haute and the Missouri Air National Guard at Lambert Field inSt. Louis, MO.
He had served during the Berlin Air Lift, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Desert Storm. He was a member and Past Master of the West Terre Haute Masonic Lodge No. 687 F.&A.M. receiving his master mason degree in 1965 and serving as Worshipful Master in 1973.
He was born September 22, 1936 at Dennison, IL. to Vern Ernest Ray and Frances Cole Ray. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothey Dunnigan Ray whom he married February 24, 1957 in the Tabernacle Baptist Church at Terre Haute; two sons, David Ray and his two daughters Mary and Sara, and Dennis Ray, his wife Sharon Ray and their daughter, Shannon; a foster daughter, Veronica Plack and
her husband, Robert, and their two daughters, Cassandra and Shelby; and a foster son, Robert Virgil all of Texas; two sisters, Clara Lou Morgan and her husband, Dan of St.Mary of the Woods, and Doyne Fulton of Dennison, IL; a brother, Earl Ray and his wife, Barbara of West Terre Haute; Sisters in law and Brothers in law, Frances
Ray; Lois Ray, Mildred Ray, Anna and Bob Jones, Sue and Gary Danko, Bill and Peggy Edmonson, Caroline and Jim Howard, Jerry and Patty Edmonson, and Ruth Ann Edmonson; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews, and many special friends in Texas that he considered his extended family including the Brinkleys, Burks, Cruz's, Davidsons, and the Hinkles. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, George, Bill, Pete, and Bob Ray; and two sisters, Eileen Rollings and Laverna Ramsey. He was a Life member of the National Guard Association of Texas, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Patton United Methodist Church at Dennison, IL and the Grace Fellowship Church in Texas where he served as an elder and board member. He loved being in the Masonic Lodge, bowling, pitching horseshoes, and singing old hymns.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
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Balrahg wrote:
A very, very dear friend of ours, the closest I have had to a father, passed away this evening while away on a trip to Indiana. His name was Carrol Ray, Father to Dave and Dennis (Evil Dave and Sneaky Dinq'), and Father to about 20 others who were not his biologically, but he was our father none the less.
He was a good, good man.
The world is truly at a loss for him now being gone.
I ask that you send any prayers and well wishes towards his family.
They have suffered a great blow and need all of the love and light you can spare.
He served his country and his family loyally, without any reservation in his life. His family was everything to him.
For those that were blessed enough to know him, count yourselves amongst the luckiest souls on this planet. If you didnt, you missed knowing a great man.
A great Warrior and man has made his way to the unknown roads. His journey in this life will never be forgotten, and he will always be missed.
