Raymond E. "Ray" Skinner

Raymond E. "Ray" Skinner, 77, of Lufkin, was born in Corrigan, Texas, the son of Lela (Loving) and Bethel Skinner on November 20, 1931. He passed away October 31, 2009 in Pinecrest Retirement Community. Mr. Skinner was an avid golfer. Ray loved retirement after 35 years as a product manager at Temple-Inland. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed traveling to Colorado. He loved his family and his great-grandchildren. Ray was past Commander of VFW Post 1836 in Lufkin. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Lufkin Country Club and the Noon Group of Senior Golfers at Lufkin Country Club. He also served his country in the US Navy in Korea. Survivors include his wife, Jean Skinner of Lufkin; daughters and their husbands, Micki and Larry Kroeker of Dobbin, Texas, Cindy and George Griffith of Cypress, brothers and sisters-in-law, Chuck and Joyce Skinner of Lufkin, Jesse B. and Helen Skinner of Spring, Crosby L. and Gladys Skinner of Conroe; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Lewing and Billy of Lufkin; grandsons and their wives, Joshua and Jennifer Kroeker of Pollok, Jake and Nichole Kroeker of Conroe, Sean and Courtney Lawrence of Decatur, AL, Kris and Holly Lawrence of Pearland; 7 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jerry Skinner, and wife, Cynthia "Cyn" (Besner) Skinner. Pallbearers will be Charlie Havard, Sandy Bate, Frank Naff, Joshua Kroeker, Jake Kroeker, and Kris Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers will be all members of VFW Post 1836 and The Noon Group of Senior Golfers at Lufkin Country Club. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 116 S. Raguet, Lufkin, TX 75901 or Greater East Texas Chapter Alzheimer's Association, 118 E. Hospital Street, Suite 304, Nacogdoches, TX 75961. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. William J. Slight, M.S. and Deacon Gary Trevino officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:30 held in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel Monday evening. Condolences may be offered at www.mem.com Gipson Funeral Home; directors