Ray Gardner, 55, passed away Jan. 21, 2020 at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. He was born to James and June Orum Gardner March 8, 1964 in Greenville.
Ray worked for many years as a meat cutter and meat market manager at Winn Dixie. He decided he could serve his neighbors in the North Texas area better by changing careers, so he became a roofing contractor. Ray attended Wolfe City ISD schools and graduated from Wolfe City High School. He was active in FFA. He enjoyed shooting sports, gardening, raising goats and chickens, and working with his dad raising cattle and farming. Basically he enjoyed anything that involved tractors.
He married his true love, Tina Wilson, on Valentine’s Day in 1992 in Hemstead, Arkansas. He was an active member of Sulphur Bluff Baptist Church.
Ray is survived by his wife, Tina, and children: Scotty, Zachary, Mickey, Michael, Brady and Jamy. He is also survived by his siblings: Faye Wallace, Barbara Woodruff and husband Joe, Loretta Luckett and husband Bryan, Charolette Gardner, Melia Garner and husband Darrin, Pam Perkins and husband Jerry, and David Gardner and wife Kara; numerous nieces and nephews; grandson, Hunter Gardner; in-laws, Annette Loper and husband Tim, Michael Wilson and wife Katie, and Eric Wilson and wife Lisa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Cathy June Gardner; nephew, James Fenn; and his grandparents.
Visitation will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 at Cross Trails Cowboy Church in Fairlie. The funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Mark Bryant at 3 p.m. following visitation at the church. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Luckett, Bryan Luckett, Rubicel Macedo, Kevin Brown, Jamy Giles, Tim Loper, David Gardner and Scott Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Greer, John Gotcher, PeeWee Woodard, Randy Manning, Bill George and Ray’s nephews: Dylan Wilson, Dakota Wilson, Ty Woodruff, Jason Wallace and Cody Wallace.
Donations to help the family with final expenses are being collected at any Alliance Bank location.
Services under the direction of Owens Funeral Home.