Garland Ray Hunter

Garland Ray Hunter was born Oct. 26, 1933, in Caddo, Okla., to Joe and Lucille Cole Hunter. He married Mary Kate Austin on Dec. 28, 1951, in Clovis, N.M. He was in the grocery business more than 20 years then sold pick-up accessories until his retirement.

Besides his faith and his family, the most important thing to him was his music. He was a member and past board member of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. As a drummer, he was an avid fan of western swing music. In 2010, he was inducted into Western Swing Hall of Fame. Over the years, he backed such stars as George Jones, Ferlin Husky, Wynn Stewart, Webb Pierce, Wanda Jackson, Willie Nelson, Stonewall Jackson and many more. One of the biggest highlights of Ray’s career was the night he worked with Bob Wills.

He was a member of the North Beacon Church for many years, where he also served as a board member.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Cole Parker; his father, Joe Hunter; his stepfather, Charlie Parker; an infant son, Garland Joe Hunter; and his loving wife, Mary K. Hunter.

Survivors include his daughters, Guynell Cannon and husband Jerry of Lindsay and Melody Townsend and husband Terry of Pauls Valley, Okla.; a son, Randy Hunter of Pauls Valley; a sister, Ruth Trickey and husband Don of Amarillo; his granddaughters, Cory Coe of Lewisville, Jenny Rogers and husband Tim of Lindsay, Katie Johnson and husband Grant of Pauls Valley and Jamie Townsend of Oklahoma City; his great-

granddaughters, Brenyn Coe, Maegan Bartee, Macy Rogers and Savannah Johnson; and his great-grandsons, Cole Bartee, Thad Rogers and Barrett Johnson.

The family suggest memorials be to Ray Hunter Memorial Scholarship, in care of Hack Starbuck, P.O. Box 644 Shattuck, OK 73858.