Judson Thomas Ray, Sr.

Judson Thomas “J.T.” Ray, Sr. went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2019 in Seminole, Texas at the age of 95 years.

J.T. is survived by children Grace and Jim Roberson of Hobbs, Judson T. Ray Jr. of Hobbs, Samuel and Vickie Ray of Frederick, CO, Howard Ray of Hobbs, Robert and Betsy Ray of Hobbs, Christie and Chuck Barbe of Roswell and 4 grandchildren Tarence, Cason, Braden and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie Moore Ray, his parents and sisters Doris Ray and Hazel Jones.

J.T. Ray was born on August 23, 1923 in Valera, Texas to Arthur Howard Ray and Mittie Grace Byers. He graduated high school in Imperial, Texas and joined the Army Air Corps. After discharge, he returned to Imperial, Texas and married Marjorie Moore, a union which lasted 66 years. Over the years, the couple welcomed 6 children into their home and dad set about teaching them his faith and the importance of family. His children remember him as a tireless and dedicated father, strong in faith, a man who met each day as an opportunity to spread his Christian faith and his passion for living a joyful life.

J.T. was a hunter, fisherman, carpenter and mechanic, and taught his children many different skills, most of all he taught them his faith in God and the goodness of God in all things. He was a deacon of the Baptist Church, Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Imperial, Texas and at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church in Hobbs until the age 94, served on the Buena Vista ISD School Board for many years as a member and President, served as a firefighter for Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, and worked for Chevron USA for over 3 decades, but the thing he took the greatest pride in and put the greatest effort into was being dad.