Ray Eugene Plumb, Jr.

Ray Eugene Plumb, Jr., 86, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Friday afternoon, September 4, 2015. He was preceded in death in 2011 by his beloved wife of 59 years, Jackie. He is survived by his four children: Cathy Bell of League City; Trey Plumb of Missouri City; Christie Simmons of San Antonio, and Robert Plumb of Birmingham, Alabama; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Ray was born in Abilene, Texas, on October 3, 1928, and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was an All-State quarterback in high school and played briefly at the University of Oklahoma before a knee injury prematurely ended his football career. Ray was also an accomplished pitcher in high school and later played several years of semi-pro baseball. This naturally led him to become an active coach and mentor to many young men in F.U.N. Football and Westbury American Little League in Southwest Houston. An accomplishment of which he was most proud was managing the 1966 Little League World Champions.

Ray was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a double major in geology and business. He was a Certified Professional Geological Scientist and a longtime member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Over the course of his career, Ray enjoyed great success and respect as a geologist with several oil companies and as an independent, going out on his own with Plumb and Hutson Oil Company, later Plumb Oil Company. His knack for finding oil and gas set him apart in the industry.

In 1975, Ray and Jackie purchased a ranch in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin and named the property R&J Ranch. R&J Ranch was an early adopter of an embryo transfer procedure that dramatically improved the size, quality, and visibility of the Black Angus breed. Over the ensuing 20 years, Ray and Jackie travelled all over North America showing and promoting the animals to which they were deeply devoted. Ray and Jackie were true pioneers in the development of the Black Angus breed. Ray produced many National Champions and received the coveted national title of "Angus Breeder of the Year" multiple times.

Ray was a devoted husband and loving father who was happiest when surrounded by family. He will be dearly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Visitation with family begins at 1:00 p.m.