Major James Ray Stegall

James Ray Stegall, Major, United States Army (retired) died June 18, 2012 at the age of 90. He was a soldier; a pretty good one, too. His country honored him by awarding him the Silver Star with Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Cluster, Air Medal with 25 Clusters, Commendation Medal, along with other campaign and service medals. His state honored him by inducting him into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame on November 10, 2007 as approved by the Texas Legislature.

Born in Bullard, Texas, February 6, 1922, he graduated from Austin High School in 1940. He was called to active duty when the 36th Infantry Division (Texas National Guard) was mobilized into federal service on November 25, 1940. Combat duty during World War II included the D-Day landing at Salerno, Italy with the 36th Infantry Division and Italian campaign. Making the Army a career, he was also in combat with the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War, participating in the Inchon and Iwon Landings, the push to the Yalu River, evacuated by ship back to Pusan and northward again to the 38th Parallel. He was an Army Aviator for 18 years and was qualified to fly fixed wing, helicopter, twin-engine and instruments.

James married his sweetheart, Dorris Parker, on April 1, 1944. They recently celebrated 68 years of marriage. They were blessed with two daughters, and many grandchildren.

Major Stegall was preceded in death by his father, F. E. Stegall and his mother, Edna Maggie Ray Stegall. He is survived by his wife, Dorris Stegall; his two daughters, Sue Werkenthin and her husband Conrad; Shirley Baugh and her husband,Gerald; his grandchildren, Parker Ray Phoenix, Courtney Tucker and Mark Sundin, Jimmy Dawkins, Matt and Angeline Tucker, Josh and Amber Dawkins, Anne and Craig Cuny, Sarah Baugh, Daniel and Patrice Baugh, Matthew and Laila Baugh, and Adam and Tricia Baugh; his great-grandchildren, Trisha Gonzales, Zoe Dawkins, Eli Dawkins, Calvin Tucker, Bonden Tucker, Sydney Dawkins, Colton Cuny, Myra Belle Baugh, Odessa Cuny, Sabine Cuny, and Jackson Baugh; and his great-great-grandchildren, Joseph, Alyssa, and Lexi Ramos. He is also survived by his loyal dog Oobi, many friends and extended family. He loved you all.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012, with funeral services honoring Major Stegall following at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Burial with military honors will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Parker, Fred Tucker, Joe Dawkins, Turner Williamson, Tom Murray and John Huber, Dalton Huber, Roy Bullock, and Charles Hawkins.

The family would like to thank Dr. Al Lindsey for his compassionate care.

“At Ease”

ln lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Major Stegall may be made to the animal shelter of your choice.

Please visit Major Stegall’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you can share memories with his family.