Cover photo for Foy Ray's Obituary
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1933 Foy 2021

Foy Ray

November 15, 1933 — November 10, 2021

Foy Dale Ray, known as Ray to family and friends, passed away peacefully in his Schertz, Texas home on November 10, 2021. He is survived by his children Donna Howe (Larry), Alan Ray (Carol), and Joe Ray (Wilma); grandchildren Rick (Carrie), Ben (Katie), Colt (Shelby), Maverick (Melanie), Joseph, and Jerry; great grandchildren Lauren, Samantha, Daniel, James, JJ, Remmi, Ronin, and Cheyenne. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Marilyn in 2019.

Ray was born on November 15, 1933 near Hammon, Oklahoma to Joe and Leah Ray. He and his four older brothers were raised on the family’s farm at Nine Mile Creek. The hard times of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl greatly influenced Ray's early life, but his family was strong and resilient. Memories of those early years shaped Ray’s decision making for the rest of his life.

In August of 1953, shortly after graduating from Hammon High School, Ray joined the Air Force. He and the other new recruits traveled twelve hours on an unairconditioned bus from Oklahoma City to Lackland AFB where they were greeted by Drill Sergeants for basic training. Decades later, he would joke about being shocked by the Drill Sergeants' demeanor, saying they were "not very friendly" and "spoke to us harshly!"

Ray’s first assignment for Air Force technical school was Chanute AFB. From there he was stationed at Andrews AFB where he met his future wife, Marilyn Ann Eckley. They married on July 30, 1955 and were blessed with three children over the years.

Ray played softball with co-workers, enjoyed woodworking and tinkering with cars, and engine repair. He was fond of camping and fishing, and he loved spending weekends at Canyon Lake with family and friends. He stayed current with computers for his own use and communication. But most important of his leisure activities, he was a passionate animal lover. Ray volunteered time and money to shelters and fed strays in the neighborhood. He coordinated and subsidized a program with local veterinarians to humanely capture and neuter strays. He spent his later years feeding and caring for area wildlife that visited his yard.

Having lived 56 years in the community, with the exception of a couple of duty calls to NKP Thailand and Laughlin AFB, he was glad to have retired in Schertz as a transplanted Texan. Ray was a devoted husband and father. He was known to many in this community as one who went out of his way to help others and promote friendship.

Ray’s ashes will be interred at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park Cemetery beside Marilyn, his wife of 63 years. The Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 2:00 PM, at the Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity to benefit animals.

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Graveside Service

Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park
  • 2951 TX-46
    New Braunfels, Texas 78130
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