Dateline: December 13, 2007

Maurice E. Ray, Sr., died December 1, 2007, at the age of 85.

Services were at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at Southwest Church of Christ with Mr. Brent Adams and Mr. Chris Moore officiating with arrangements by Schooler Funeral Home. Interment was in Llano Cemetery.

Mr. Ray was born October 2, 1922, in Burkburnett to Oscar and Edna Ray. He married Margie Green on August 2, 1945. They were married 58 years prior to her death on October 11, 2003. Mr. Ray was his wife’s caregiver for many years before her passing. He was a Christian man whose love and devotion to his family throughout his lifetime was his most rewarding accomplishment.

He married Odessa Bagwell on September 28, 2004, in Clarendon. They have lived in Howardwick for three years.

Mr. Ray was a loan officer in the banking industry for many years.  He enjoyed fishing, RV travel, gardening, and woodworking. He had been an active member of the Clarendon Church of Christ for the past three years, where he was proudly involved in volunteer work. He was a past member of Southwest Church Of Christ for many years.

He is survived by his wife; two step-daughters, Linda Pankey and husband Jerry of Lorena, and Ellen Rowell and husband George of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and two sons, Moe Ray and wife Nancy of Amarillo, and Bob Ray and wife Carol of Gun Barrel; one step-son, Henry Bagwell and wife Amy of Leonardtown, Maryland; one brother, James Ray of Pampa; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren

The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114.