Ray grew up on a farm in rural Tennessee. After high school, he wanted to join the Navy like his father and brother, but ended up joining the Air Force as the Navy recruiter was not hiring that day, but the air force was! His Air force career spanned two decades as a pilot, normally flying KC135 tankers. After the military Ray obtained a BS degree in business at Murray State University and began his second career at M. W. Kellogg in Houston, where he originally met and married Patricia years before. They later moved to New Braunfels to enjoy the retired life… though Ray often joked about moving back to Possum Holler.
Ray and Patricia have been faithful members of Cross Lutheran Church for the past 26 years. He was involved in many ministries including the men’s club and SOS Food Bank.
Ray was always positive and welcoming; entertaining anyone who would listen with his endless anecdotes. He never met a stranger. He was exceptionally quick-witted, a trait he maintained even as his memory faded. Ray took up golf while in the military and continued to play into his late 80s. He racked up four hole-in-ones and often shot his age. He loved gardening and investing. He enjoyed making a wonderful breakfast and grilling the perfect steak for the family. He taught all his kids to play poker, just like his mother taught him.
His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched and inspired throughout his remarkable life.
A memorial service will be held to honor Ray's life and service at Cross Lutheran Church in New Braunfels at 10:00 Friday April 11, 2025. He will be laid to rest in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date. Ray will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
Ray is preceded in death by his father Henry Clayborn West and mother Julia Elizabeth Satterwhite, brother Cecil West and sister Henrietta Watkins. Ray is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia West and their five children: Jeffery West, Jenise Alexander, Debra Moore, David West and Sandra Olmo. Ray has fourteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday April 11, 2025 at Cross Lutheran Church at 10:00 am. Committal Service will be on Wednesday, April 30 at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:15 am with full military honors.
