Henry Gene Ray, 83, peacefully passed away at his home in Reno, Tx on March 27, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer.
A graveside service is set for Saturday, April 2, 2022 at the Knights of Honor Cemetery in Blossom, Tx at 11:00 a.m. with John Cannon officiating. Cremation was arranged by Fry and Gibbs.
Gene was born on November 9, 1938 in Hobart, OK a son of Henry Lenore and Elsie Matilda Whiteside Ray and has resided in Reno for the last 43 years. Gene proudly served in the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1956-1964.
He was an outstanding and successful businessman and his self-employed business career in Reno, spanned from 1980-2004. During those years, he established 8 different businesses, which included: Ray’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Ray’s Signs, Walnut Village Shopping Center, Reno Car and Truck Wash, Reno Laundromat, The Spa Mart, Act ll Clothing and A-Ace Self Storage. Business was his passion and also his hobby. He was a man of vision and his businesses helped Reno expand into the town it is today.
After retirement in 2004, he found new passion–antique cars and the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial. He loved going to car shows and showing off his prized possessions, his ‘57 Chevy Bel Airs. He was a member of the Honkers and Hot Rodders car clubs. With Gene at “the wheel”, the Honkers began the annual car show, which is still being held every year in Paris.
Gene was a huge supporter and a devoted and tireless worker to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial. Whether it was running heavy equipment or wiping down benches, Gene generously donated his time to help in any way. He has also donated several cars to the Memorial and his last two Bel Airs will be raffled off in the next few years.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents Henry Lenore and Elsie Matilda (Whiteside) Ray, brothers, Lloyd Ray, Temple Ray, Louis Ray, Paul Ray, Leroy Ray and a son, Ferrell Glenn Ray.
He is survived by a sister, Shirley Carroll and husband Don of Reno, stepdaughters, Crystal Rose and Margaret Muniz of Kentucky, stepsons, Jeremy and Jason Salinas of Oregon, nephews Richard Garza-Ray of Roma-Los Saenz, Lawrence Ray of Paris, Mike Ray of Edgewood, Steve Ray and wife Monica of Edgewood, nieces, Kay Hudson of Garland, Sue Gravette of Tyler, Donna Wall and husband Brick of Irving, and Lisa Denman and husband Matt of Reno and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Lovice Preston, Leta Reaves and the Staff of Cypress Basin Hospice for the care given to their loved one.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Gene’s memory to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial at the address 1025 S. Collegiate, Paris, TX 75460.
Condolences may be sent to the Ray Family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
