Gary Alan James Raney

Gary Alan James Raney, longtime Houston resident and proud native Texan, passed away at home on June 25, 2014 at the age of 71 from a rare brain disease. His parents, Lawrence Alexander Raney Jr and Elizabeth Ellen (née McMillan) Raney, predecease Gary. His wife, Mary Kay Raney, son, Gary Alexander James Raney, daughter-in-law, Julie Lynn Raney and newborn grandson, Henry James Raney, survives him. Gary was born in the St. Joseph Infirmary, as it was known then, in Houston, Texas on December 29, 1942. He graduated from Danbury High School in 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. In 1964, the Vietnam War interrupted his studies, when he was drafted into the United States Army. He served with the 617th Engineering Company while in Vietnam. Gary began working when he was 12 and continued to work until the last few months of his life. His first jobs were caddying at Braeburn Country Club and at the amusement park, Wee Wild West. The last thirty plus years he worked in the oil country tubular industry. During his son’s school years, Gary volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. Rain or shine, he ferried scouts to weekend campouts and also participated in numerous week long winter and summer camp sessions. He took great pride when his son accomplished the rank of Eagle Scout and helped other scouts in their quest to acheive the different scout levels. In his free time, Gary enjoyed woodworking, remodeling his home, and tinkering on his classic 71 Cutlass. Gary will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and friend. He was quick to help family and friends, day or night, often putting the needs of others ahead of his own. Gary was an honorable man and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at Earthman’s Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris St. Houston, Texas on Saturday, September 6th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests to honor the memory of Gary by performing an intentional act of kindness for someone in need. Something he did many times over his lifetime.