Ray West

He married Alice James on April 17, 1948. She preceded him in death on May 17, 1997.

Ray attended Denison High School.

He served in the US Air Force during World War II, teaching airplane mechanics to cadets in Idaho. He was also stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC.

After leaving the military he worked as a civilian at Perrin Field Air Force Base.

He owned and operated Ray’s Auto Parts for over 30 years. He and his brother, Roe, who passed away December 23, 2011, worked side by side repairing cars, selling auto parts and operating a wrecker service until his retirement.

He created and built the “Little Pat” locomotive in 1953 that is still driven in the local parades by American Legion members.

He joined the Masonic Lodge in 1956 and was a faithful and loyal member. In 1992, he received the Golden Trowel award from the Billie Mosse Lodge No. 1152 for outstanding service to lodge, church and community.

He was also a member of the Grayson County Scottish Rite, North Texas Shrine, Scottish Rite and Hella Temple of Dallas and a long time member of the First Christian Church. He served as a deacon and completed many projects during his time with the building committee at the church.

He loved a good song and especially piano music. He worked on player pianos and restored a Reproduco instrument (a combination player piano and organ). This particular player was once used in Denison’s Star Movie Theater in the 1920’s and 30’s and played the music score which accompanied the movies during that time period.

He loved the circus as a boy and the calliope pipe organs whose sounds brought the people to the big top. In 1976 he decided to build one of his own. Once completed you could hear it for several blocks in parades, events or even in his own back yard.

His strong faith, family and friends kept him with us for 90 years. Ray will be tremendously missed by those friends and family members.

He is survived by daughters: Beth Niemi and husband, Mark of Denison; Pat Whited and husband, Tim of Nederland, Colorado; granddaughters: Sara Coutts and husband Jake of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Claire Prida and husband Miguel of Galveston, TX; sister-in-law, Arta West and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration service to honor and remember Ray will be held at the First Christian Church on Saturday, March 31st at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Billie Mosse Lodge No. 1152, 2101 S. Austin Ave., Denison, TX 75020, First Christian Church, 800 W. Woodard St., Denison, TX 75020 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bratcher Funeral Home, 401 W. Woodard St., Denison, TX 75020(903) 465-2323. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com.