Born Donald Ray Callen, he came into this world, the offspring of Russell and Emma Callen in Wichita Falls, Texas on September 26, 1928. He was the only son and the eldest child of his five sisters: Evelyn, Anna, Barbara, Roberta and Joyce.
The Callen family made their living on a farm. Life was not easy, work was hard, and given the time and place, the family had few amenities. It was in these years on the farm where the value of hard work was learned. Donald, or “Ray” as he is most comminly called, shared his stories about his life on the farm often. These moments provided glimpses of what made Ray the man we all came to know and love.
His father dies when Ray was very young and as a result left him as the sole male figure in the family and responsible to fill the void caring and watching over his widowed mother and younger sisters—This responsibility Ray fulfilled through to his last days. The family sold the farm and moved to Southern California, eventually settling in the house on Walnut street in Garden Grove, the same house where all his children were raised and the last house he would occupy.
Ray attended Garden Grove high school where he met Victoria, Vicky, who became is wife shortly after graduation. Newly married, Ray took classes at the local junior college leading to his eventual career at Douglas Aircraft as a draftsman etching master layout work.
The family grew to four children, all two years apart: Ron, Janis, Scott, and Tim. Over decades, Ray worked hard to provide for his family and raise his children through to adulthood. Vicky had taken ill after the kids had all grown and left home. Ray continued his vigilant efforts providing and caring for his ailing wife until she joined our Savior in Heaven.
It was shortly after this point our dear Helen came into Ray’s life. Helen and Ray grew together and fell in love and were eventually married. As the years passed, Ray battled various ailments, each taking a toll on his body but with Helen’s help Ray’s love of life would ultimately win us more time. His mind and his wit always sharp, and his spirit strong and loving.
Ray’s journey on this earth finished on January 4, 2019, at the age of 90. He passed on peacefully in the comfort of his own bed, surrounded by loving family. The Lord now holds him in perfect light and peace, and we rejoice in his deliverance yet suffer the void left behind in our hearts.
Ray had a positive impact on everyone he encountered. Always a will to lend a hand and to provide support, always accepting of others, and always loving unconditionally and without hesitation. He was a good man, a loving soul, who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
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