Allen Cobble Ray

After graduating from Rusk High School, he attended The University of Texas at Austin where he was a honors graduate with a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1964 and received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1971.

In 1973, June 2nd he married Betty Pharr, his soul mate and they moved to the Bryan-College Station area. He worked as a Veterinary Toxicologist for the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for the Texas A&M University System from 1973 until 1988. In 1988 Allen became head of the Drug Testing Lab, a position he held until his retirement in 2004.

During his long and distinguished career, Allen received many honors. He was especially proud of being elected President of the Southwestern Association of Toxicologists in 1993 and in 2001 he received The Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow Award for outstanding service and professionalism.

During his life, he loved being with family and friends, fishing, visits to the beach and mountains, running, movies and reading.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty and his parents. Survivors include his sister and her husband, Malinda and Leslie Liles; first cousin like his little brother, Lee Spivey (wife Susannah and daughter Lauren); aunt, Frances Lindsay; sister-in-laws, Melba Pharr and Kathryn Belt; nephews, A.J. Pharr and Weldon Pharr and their families; first cousins, Tom Francis and Phyllis Waddle and their families; and numerous dear friends.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society with designation of funding for melanoma research – or to the charity of your choice.