Forney, Texas -- Joseph Dewayne Ray, 77, most recently of Forney, Texas, passed away on April 3, 2025, while traveling in British Columbia, Canada. His ultimate goal was to travel to Alaska, the last frontier, which is the only one of the United States that he had not visited.
Joe was born on October 30, 1947, the son of Aretah Holt Ray and EW Ray in Dallas, Texas. After his parents divorced, Joe and his mother lived with his maternal grandparents Arthur and Artie Holt, and, also his Aunt Ruby. Joe knew his grandpa as his "Daddy" and always referred to him as such.
Joe was proud to be a native Texan and often considered anyone who lived or came from north of the Red River to be a Yankee. He grew up and attended schools in Oak Cliff, Dallas County Community College and UT Dallas. He worked in sales and private industry and in later years he enjoyed building projects, painting Christmas ornaments for the grandkids, and working in the yard and flower beds. Joe attended Lakepointe Church - Forney.
As Joe often said, he was blessed with two good wives. His first wife Teresa Turner Ray, to whom he was married for 18 years, was the mother of his sons Larry (Dawn) Ray and Chris (Colleen) Ray. His second wife Carol Mueller Ray, to whom he was married for 39 years, is the mother of his stepchildren Michelle Landers (Chad) Taylor and Michael Mueller (Cne) Landers. Joe thought of a special nephew Jeff (Sherry) Webb also as a son. All five were always "our" kids, and all of their kids were "our" grandkids, who are Cristopher (Travis) Ray; Alisa (Brad) Kohler and sons Braydon, Anthony and William; Matt (Victoria) Webb and sons Isaiah, Elijah and Lincoln; Hayley (Cullen) Gassaway and sons Greyson and Brantley; Chase and Emily Taylor; and Tori Flanagan, Michaela Landers (Caleb) Madsen and Lainey Landers. Joe treasured time spent with his family and often took the grandkids to fun events, such as the circus, rodeo, Six Flags, zoo, etc. during the summers.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and step grandson Connor Lappin. Survivors include the families listed above, Colleen's daughters Lexi and Mady Lappin and Mady's son Milan, and son Zack Lappin and his children Allie, Phoenix and Talyn, and Allie's twins Emerson and Violet. Also, survivors include Joe's aunt Martha Holt Hanna, cousins Karen (Scott) Buie, Sherri (Russ) Mewha, Shellye Holt, Becki Holt and their families.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m., at 10325 Richard Cir, Forney, TX 75126.
To convey online condolences or sign an online registry please visit www.coopersorrells.com
