Jack Knight Ray of Caldwell, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023, where he went to be with his Lord and Savior.
A celebration of his life was held on January 5, 2024, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell, Texas.
Jack Ray was born on November 11, 1933, in a small community in Karma, Oklahoma, just on the other side of the Oklahoma Red River.
From an early age, Jack was a very hard working and f a s t learning, inquisitive young man.
The day after his high school graduation, a class of six members, he hitchhiked to Dallas, Texas, with $18 dollars in his pocket and everything he owned in a suitcase to begin his career.
He immediately joined the Navy and served 4 years in the Korean War Conflict in the far East.
After discharge, Jack enrolled at the Southeast University of Oklahoma to become a history teacher. History was the passion of his life and he later earned a Master’s in Education in 1963 at Texas A&M in Commerce.
Jack began his teaching career in Dalhart, Texas. He learned and experienced many things in Dalhart including learning to fly crop dusters, getting active in the local Lions Club and networking with the local busi-nessmen and ranchers. He also learned it was too windy and cold in Dalhart so he moved his family to East Texas and taught in the Henderson School District.
About five years later, Jack moved his family to Pasadena, Texas, where he was employed for 24 years at Pasadena Independent School District as a History teacher, Academic Counselor, Supervisory of Social Studies and Director of Education and Technology.
Jack retired from the Pasadena Independent School District in 1986 and moved to Caldwell, Texas, where he continued his second passion of ranching.
He and his wife, Clara Struwe Ray, were married in 1983 and they raised Limousine cattle for many years on Clara’s family farm. They were blessed to have met many friends in Caldwell by being active in the local Lions Club and First Baptist Church and Burleson County Cowboy Church.
Jack retired from fulltime ranching in 2018 and he and Clara moved to College Station to enjoy Sr. Living at The Langford, meeting many new friends and neighbors. This allowed Jack to continue to tell his many stories of history and his own colorful life experiences to all those that would listen.
Along with Jack’s story telling talent, he was passionate about refurbishing and flying antique aircraft. It was always a joy and a thrill to ride with Jack in his Piper Cub or Beechcraft. Jack practiced “touch and go” landings a lot at the local Caldwell Airport but it really felt more like crop dusting runs to those brave enough to ride with him.
Jack had a passion to serve his community and did so by his active involvement in the Lion’s Club, Salvation Army, and his church. He served in the Lions for over 65 years and was chief sponsor and cook in the Pasadena Chili Supper which was later recognized as the Jack Ray Chili Supper because of his special Chili recipe and work organizing the fundraiser. Jack was also a key sponsor in the Caldwell Men’s Lions Golf Tournament and annual supporter of the Texas Lions Camp for Children.
Jack served on leadership teams for the Salvation Army and rang the Salvation Army bell for many, many years.
He served the Lord through his active participation at church and most recently, in helping to support the Burleson County Cowboy Church to grow their membership and bringing people to Christ.
Jack had a true servant’s heart and loved to put other’s needs before his own. His family is grateful for his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and for the many life lessons and history stories he shared with his students, friends, and family.
Jack was born to Clairance and Euma Ray on November 11, 1933. He had three brothers, Joe, Red and Grant, all of whom are deceased.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Struwe Ray, married for over 40 years. Jack had two loving children, Susan Ray and Jon Ray (deceased) and was also loved by another daughter by marriage, Lisa Chenault and his son-in law, Cody Chenault. Also, Jack had five wonderful grandchildren: Paige, Amanda, Cailey, Ronnie, and Dana.
In Jack’s honor, please consider a charitable donation to one of the following organizations below. Jack truly enjoyed helping children in all walks of life.
* Texas Lions Camp, 4100 San Antonio Hwy., Kerrville, Texas 78028 * Caldwell Men’s Lions, P.O. Box 1197, Caldwell, Texas 77836 Jack’s family would like to give a special thank you to all the Doctors, Nurses, and staff of Baylor Scott & White and Crestview Skilled Nursing unit for the care they provided him over the last several weeks and months. Also, a special thank you to the Caldwell Men’s Lions for serving as pallbearers.
Express your condolences at Phillipsand-Luckey.com
PHILLIPS & LUCKEY FUNERAL HOME
404 W. Buck St. Caldwell, Tx 77836 979-567-3232