DENZIL RAY
Funeral services for Denzil Ray, 80, were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church with Terry Williams officiating. Burial followed in Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation was held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home.
He passed away Oct. 12, 2023, in Childress, Texas.
He was born Jan. 14, 1943, in Loco, Texas to Nathaniel Ray and Ethel Pearl Jones Ray.
After school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Fort Sill, Fort Benning and Germany. When he was discharged, he bought a Dr. Pepper truck and moved to Childress. After a few years, he began working for American National Insurance and was still selling policies until his illness made him unable. He served as a Childress County Commissioner for 10 years and was certified by the American Quarter Horse Association as a cutting horse breeder for 30 years. He would help anyone who needed it. Once you were his friend, you were always his friend. Working was his hobby, and he loved every minute. Above all, he was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Norman Ray; a sister, Dorothy Hodges; a brother, W.L. Ray; and a bonus son, Jerry Foley.
Survivors include his wife, Chris Ray; two sons, Denny Ray and John Ray and wife Ashilen; a daughter, Angie Petit and husband Ray; a bonus daughter, Angie Prater and husband Kelly; a bonus son, Kevin Foley and wife Mandy; daughter-in-love Tammy Foley; grandchildren Brooke Ramsey, Kelsey Ramsey, Tripp Ray, Jeremy Foley and wife Jennifer, Tiffany Foley, Jason Foley and wife Dorothy, Keith Foley and wife Abby, Blake Foley, Beth Foley, Josh Prater and wife Sara and Austin Prater; 24 great-grandchildren; and one greatgreat- grandchild.
The family suggests memorials to Childress We Can Care.
