O.B. Ray

Longtime Malakoff, Texas resident, O.B. Ray, Jr., left this world and was welcomed into his Heavenly home on January 31, 2021, at the age of 80. O.B.’s visitation and funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in Malakoff, Texas, officiated by Bro. Casey Perry. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m., and graveside services afterward at King Cemetery in Aley, Texas.

O.B. was born on April 12, 1940, in Aley, Texas, to parents, Inez and O.B. Ray, Sr. Having grown up in Kemp, Texas, O.B. was raised by his aunt and uncle, James and Virginia Reese. Upon graduating two years early from Kemp High School, O.B. joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16, where he proudly served his country for four years. After having been honorably discharged, O.B. went on to graduate from East Texas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Upon graduation, O.B. became a teacher in Mabank, Texas, and Crandall, Texas, teaching chemistry and coaching football and basketball. Once he left the coaching profession, O.B. became a successful salesman of pharmaceuticals working for Ortho, and then on to work and retire from Southwest Material Handling.
In 1966, with his first wife, June McFaul, O.B. welcomed Bart Ray, the first of three sons. O.B. met and married wife of 33 years, Becky Mullins Ray, before she passed in 2008. During their marriage, they had two sons, Matt Ray and Adam Ray and they raised all three boys in Malakoff, Texas. O.B. later gained two amazing daughter-in-laws, Hilary Ray and Misty Ray. He had five grandchildren, Orrin Beau Ray of Gun Barrel City, Texas, Holden Reese Ray of Malakoff, Texas, Kendall Jane Ray of Malakoff, Texas, Hudson Russell Ray of Flint, Texas, and Rossi Rebecca Ray of Flint Texas.    
As a young boy, O.B. accepted Christ and was baptized in faith. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Malakoff, Texas, for many years, where he attended regularly, taught Sunday School, and participated in weekly church social events.       
O.B. is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Becky Mullins Ray; parents Inez and O.B. Ray, Sr.; aunt and uncle, James and Virginia Reese; brothers, Jimmy Ray, Gary Ray, and David Ray; sisters, Jenny Barnes, Patsy Ray; mother-in-law, Charlene Mullins; and father-in-law, Claudie Mullins.             
O.B. is survived by his son, Bart Ray of Gun Barrel City, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Hilary Ray of Malakoff, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Misty Ray of Flint, Texas; grandsons, Beau Ray, Holden Ray, and Hudson Ray; and granddaughters, Kendall Ray and Rossi Ray; sister, Billi Anderson of Kemp Texas; sister-in-law, Sandy Mullins Shirey of Athens, Texas; brother-in-law and wife, Bill and Tammy Mullins of Malakoff Texas; brother-in-law, Charles Mullins of Malakoff, Texas; and sister-in-law and husband, Jay Jay Mullins Lee and Kelley Lee of Athens, Texas; as well as, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
               
OB’s favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, watching Gunsmoke, going to church, but mostly following his sons and grandchildren around to watch them play sports.    

Pallbearers: Beau Ray, Holden Ray, Rufus McGuffey, Robert McGuffey, Ryan McGuffey, and Jayme Anderson