Ray is survived by his daughter, Beverly Welch, and husband Kim of Kountze, TX; daughter, Trish Fisher, and husband Austin of Lumberton, TX. Grandchildren Amber McDonald, and husband Sterling of Kountze, TX; Ben Welch and wife, Chiarra of Honolulu, HI; Curtis Whatley of Call, TX and Anna Whatley of Lumberton, TX. Great-grandchildren Carly McDonald; Emma McDonald; Reagan McDonald; Harper McDonald; Kaia Welch; Lilly Whatley; Jordan Whatley; and Cassian Whatley. Brother-in-law Frank Siwek of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law Lydia Kelly of Lumberton, TX; brother-in-law Earnest Garza of Silsbee, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.
A longtime resident of Beaumont, Ray first came to Texas while serving in the Navy. Stationed in Orange, Texas with the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, he met local resident Cindy Garza and fell in love. They were married six weeks later and celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary seven months before Cindy’s death in 2019.
Ray dedicated his life in service to the Lord. He was an active member of Ridgewood church of Christ, serving as deacon for 10 years and as elder for 24 years while there. Later, they moved to the Kountze church of Christ to be with family. Ray, with Cindy by his side, was involved in the work of the church, holding group Bible studies in their home and often sharing God’s plan of salvation one on one with everyone they could.
Ray worked for most of his life as a heavy-duty truck and auto mechanic, owning his own business in Beaumont as Ray and Alton’s Automotive. After selling his share of the business to Alton, he opened an RV repair service shop in Lumberton, where Cindy again worked by his side as his office manager.
Ray loved to work in his shop as an amateur woodworker, creating amazing projects that were far from amateur. He was dedicated to caring for his family and serving others in any way that was needed.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Stanley C. & Anna Tryonas; wife Cindy Garza Tyrone; daughter Denise Tyrone Whatley; and sister Elsie Siwek.
A gathering to share Memories of Ray will be held Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Ray's Life will occur Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Kountze Church of Christ, 1035 N Pine St, Kountze, TX 77625.
His burial with military tribute will follow at Old Hardin Cemetery, Old Cemetery Rd., Kountze, Texas 77625
The Tyrone Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Southeast Texas Veterans Group for honoring their loved one.
