Gerald Benjamin Ray

Gerald Benjamin Ray, long-time Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Houston, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025 at his home in Houston, surrounded by family. Though beloved in the Houston community for the groundbreaking Christmas pageants he produced at First Baptist Church, he is most remembered by friends and family for his warm, gracious, and humble spirit.

Gerald was born on January 1, 1933, to Phoebe Kathryn and Benjamin Elbert Ray in Hutto, Texas. In 1947, at the age of 14, he became the organist at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin. He continued to serve on the Hyde Park Church staff until his graduation from the University of Texas in 1954. He then completed a Masters of Education and a Bachelors of Music at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Gerald married Trevelyn Reid of Fort Worth in 1958, and she became his constant companion and a beloved partner in ministry for nearly 50 years. Trevelyn served as an integral part of his ministry staff for over three decades, before her passing in 2006.

Gerald served as Minister of Music at Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth for 16 years, before moving to Houston in 1970 to serve as the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Houston for 28 years. While at First Baptist, Gerald oversaw a 400-member adult choir, a large church orchestra, extensive handbell choirs, and multiple choirs for children and youth. His choirs performed at a variety of civic events throughout the city of Houston, including presidential rallies for Presidents Reagan and Bush, the Seven Nation Economic Summit, a NASA groundbreaking ceremony, and the Houston Olympics Festival in 1986. Under Gerald’s leadership, the choir at First Baptist Houston produced 23 albums of sacred music and went on musical mission trips to approximately 30 countries across five continents.

For 28 years, Gerald led the First Baptist Music Ministry in producing the Houston Christmas Pageant, seen by 45,000 people annually and telecast extensively in 30 major markets. It was the national Christmas Eve special on ABC-TV in 1994, was featured on the US Armed Services Network for several years, and was broadcast by Her Majesty’s Forces of Great Britain to all ships at sea. Gerald retired from First Baptist in 1998, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence and transformed lives.

Though renowned for his creativity and musical expertise, the most lasting impact of Gerald’s work is no doubt the personal care and compassion that he showed to the hundreds of men, women, and children who participated in his choirs and productions. As he wrote for The Communicator magazine in 2000, “The good that one does for the Kingdom is not in excellent church programming, but in touching and changing the hearts of people. This effect spreads like ripples in the water through the years. Love does not come from music notes, melodies, and scripts, but in a personal touch.” The ripple effect of Gerald’s love and compassion will continue to spread for generations through the lives of all who knew and loved him.

Gerald is survived by his two daughters: Kerry Dawkins (Brad) and Kristy Parrott (Keith), his three grandchildren: Reid Parrott (Mary Kathryn), Mary Kathryn Parrott, and Benjamin Parrott, and his twin great-granddaughters: Mary Ruth Parrott and Trevelyn Parrott.

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Silvia Sibouyeh, Gerald’s caregiver and friend for the last several years. Silvia was a “third daughter and sister” to Gerald, Kerry and Kristy, and we thank God for bringing her into Gerald’s life to bless him just as he blessed others with his kindness.

A memorial service will be held on June 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Houston. In honor of Gerald’s love of “all things bright and beautiful”, the family encourages attendees to dress in colors that reflect the beauty of God’s creation. A special seating area will be designated near the family for any former choir members. The service will be live streamed through the church’s website: houstonsfirst.org for those unable to attend in person.

Donations may be made to the Gerald and Trevelyn Ray Scholarship Fund at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. [https://swbts.edu/giving , select ‘other’ then type full name of scholarship fund]