Raymond Earl McCray, 77, Orange

Raymond Earl McCray made his final trip on earth to go be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 15, 2024, succumbing to Hairy-cell Leukemia and Melanoma cancer at age 77. Our families will greatly miss “Private Huckleberry” Raymond, especially his wife, "General Huckleberry”, their own little inside joke. Our Great Maker has called him home and we praise you Father Almighty for all your divine love for our sweet Raymond.

He was born August 8,1946, in Center, Texas to Elzie and LaVerne (Cox) McCray. Raymond attended Colburn Elementary and Orangefield High School in Orange, Texas, as he graduated in 1964. And after high school, he worked on several jobs, then he was hired by Texaco Petrochemical Plant in Port Arthur, Texas. Eventually, retiring in 2007.

Raymond so loved and cherished his family, sports, dancing, hunting and fishing in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and Mexico. He had a wonderful sense of humor, he could tell stories all day long, laughing and reminiscing with family and friends. Raymond always found it easy to strike up a conversation with new people he met, as he listened to their stories and told some of his own. Raymond took pride in coaching his daughter, Wendy, in City-league softball and his son Patrick in baseball for years. He cherished all the moments that he was able to spend with both children as they grew up, following Wendy to her public-school basketball events.

In the month of December 2013, Raymond met a woman he called “the love of my life”, Patsy Leyva of El Paso, Texas. The long-distance friendship grew into a strong, loving relationship for 8 years as he and Patsy strutted or danced the nights away to western songs and meeting up with many a friend. This culminated in them exchanging wedding vows on November 22, 2021, and she stood by his side, loving and protecting him as he continued to battle two different forms of cancer. They loved teasing or picking at each other as Raymond always replied, being homebodies watching Westerns on TV or Astros games, visiting their favorite restaurant Salt Grass from time to time, and just loving one another as they ventured through life or out on to little or big trips together to El Paso, Carlsbad Caverns, Ruidoso, Taos, Santa Fe, as well as to Durango, Colorado, Pikes Peak areas outside of Colorado Springs or visiting great friends up Texarkana.

Raymond was preceded in death by his mother, father and two of his brothers, Charles and Royce McCray. He is survived by his wife, Patsy McCray of Little Cypress in Orange, Texas, siblings; Elaine Thompson of Jefferson, Texas, Elwayne McCray of Orange, Texas and Jim McCray of Rifle, Colorado, children; Wendy Pase-McCray of Glen Allen, Virginia and Patrick McCray of Little Cypress in Orange, Texas, and step-children; Laura Godinez of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Leah and Gilbert Porras of El Paso, As well as nine grandchildren who will see the future for him; Kasyn and Albanie both of Texas, Myles and Madelyn both of Glen Allen, Virginia, step-grandchildren Serena and Alex both of Chesapeake, Virginia and Tatiana, Katalina and Dominic of El Paso, Texas.

Funeral arrangements were made through Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. Visitation is from 5-8 pm Thursday, June 20, 2024, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm as well at Claybar Funeral Home. A church service will be held Friday, June 21,2024 at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Orange, Texas. Pallbearers will be McCray family members and members of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1680 of Orange, Texas.