Raymond (Ray) E. Caruthers Jr.

Raymond (Ray) E. Caruthers,Jr, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on June 23, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born to Raymond E. Caruthers, Sr. and Ina Caruthers on April 17, 1936, in Roswell, New Mexico. He and Carolyn McKinley were joined in marriage on March 7, 1958, in Artesia, New Mexico and became the parents of 3 children.

Always a hard working man, with a generous spirit and unquestioned integrity, he began working at the age of 17 and worked in various positions in the building/construction industry. Ray and family moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1969, where he was employed as City Planner for the City of Fort Smith. Subsequently, he was a civil service employee with the Department of the Army at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. In 2013, after retiring from his civil service position, he became the City Administrator for the City of Barling, until he retired at age 76.

Ray is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and their 3 children, Michael Ray Caruthers of Jacksonville, Florida; Mark Edward Caruthers of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Suzanne Caruthers White of Fort Smith, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Miller Thomas White, Mandolyn Rae White, Lane Schmidt, Benjamin Caruthers and Gracie Caruthers. Ray, also, is survived by one great grandson, Riley White. Other survivors are brother, Sherman Caruthers of Lakeway, Texas, and cousin, Sandra Caruthers Topholm, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Ray was preceded by his parents and his sister, Barbara Caruthers Guthrie.

A public viewing will be held at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas, on Friday, June 26, 2015, from 5:00-7:00p.m. Services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 116 North 12th St., Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Ray to the American Heart Association, 909 West 2nd Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.