J.C. RAY

J.C. Ray, Sr., 87, formerly of Mexia, passed away May 4, 2021, in Athens. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 8, in the King Cemetery (near Thornton) with Brother Brian McClure officiating. Pallbearers will be Roger Ray, J.C. Ray Jr., Larry Ray, Jerry Ray, Rodney Alewine and Christopher Ray. A visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 11 a.m. to noon at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia.

J.C. was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Groesbeck, to William and Hattie Eakins Ray. He worked as a punch press operator for Dallas Plating and later for Asplundh Tree Company. He also served in the National Guard for three years.

J.C. married Dorothy Jean Bently, and they were blessed with four sons, J.C. Jr., Roger, Jerry and Larry. His family was his pride and joy; loving and working hard to support them was his ultimate goal in life. He made many friends over the years and enjoyed spending time visiting with them.

Although he didn’t get the opportunity very often, J.C. enjoyed fishing and hunting. After his wife passed away, he spent a lot of time going to Thornton to put flowers on her grave and working to help maintain the cemetery. J.C. knew how to be happy by being thankful for his blessings and enjoying the simple things life had to offer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hattie Ray; wife Dorothy Ray; brothers George, Bruce, Jimmy and Gus Ray; and sisters Dorothy Alewine and Lilly Ranier.

J.C. is survived by four sons, J.C. Ray Jr., Roger Ray and wife Mickie, Jerry Ray and wife Shirley, and Larry Ray and wife Pam; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a message of condolence or sign the guestbook.