Donald Lee Ray's Obituary
Donald Lee Ray, known to family and friends as Don, Dad, and Gramps, passed away early in the morning of April 9, 2011. Alongside his wife Nelta, Don traveled the world, but called Diana, Texas his home for the last twenty years of his life. He loved raising horses and cattle, cultivating timber, and taking care of the land that he considered God's gift. He was an avid reader, and he found his greatest joy in his Savior Jesus Christ and his family. His greatest desire was to pass the love of Christ to his children and grandchildren. His family will remember him as passionate and unwavering in everything he did.
Don was born in Kilgore, Texas on June 11, 1931 to Mina Elgan Ray and Mary Ann Burke Ray. He earned a Bachelors degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin, where he met Nelta Ruth Buie. He married Nelta in Diana, Texas on December 24, 1953 and soon entered the army, where he served until 1954. After leaving the army, he joined Amoco Production Company and spent the next thirty years as an engineer and then established his own company conducting oil operations in West Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Nelta Ray; his daughter and son-in law, Laura and Mark Sorrell and their children, Katherine and Stephen; his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Terry Buckner and their children, Sarah Elizabeth and Ben; his son, Russell Ray and his children, Christopher and Joshua; his nephew, Keith Ficklin. He is preceded in death by his father, Mina Ray; his mother, Mary Ray; his sister, Dolores Ann Ficklin; his nephew, Craig Ficklin.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Longview, Texas on Tuesday, April 12 at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First Presbyterian Church, Longview or to the John Haggai Institute for Evangelism to promote Don's love of the Lord for others.
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