Ray Varnell

SHREVEPORT, LA – Services for Ray Varnell will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015 with Rev. Steven Pounds officiating. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Ray was born on January 6, 1936 in Hosston, LA to Thomas Robert and Arra Mae Varnell. He worked locally for many years as a paint and body specialist in the automotive industry.

Ray grew up in the United Gas Camps located in Vivian and other areas in Louisiana and Texas. At times his family’s transportation was a company horse; this lead to his lifelong enthusiasm for cars. As a kid he loved drawing them, especially after the depression era when colors, styles, and models all began changing, captivating the hearts and imaginations of many young men of that time. Ray spent his career doing what he loved as a paint and body man, and in his free time loved to go to the lake and fish.

Ray’s family was very musical. Every member of the family played an instrument and Ray developed a love for the guitar. As a young man he played in a band called “The Ray Band,” with his cousin Harvey Ray Hodges, and their friend, Ray. He later played in church, sang in the choir, and sang along with his wife Sandy in trios. His home church was Faith Tabernacle, where he was a member for 43 years.

Above all else Ray was a devoted husband and father. He told his friend the day he met his future wife that he had met the woman he would marry, and fifty years later he was still as in love with her as the first day he met her. His son’s Jonathan and Matthew brought him joy and were the pride of his life, and he adored his granddaughter, Téa Varnell. He was a gentle artistic man, loving husband, and devoted father.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Henry Varnell. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Varnell, sons Jonathan Varnell and Matthew Varnell, granddaughter Téa Marie Varnell and brothers Thomas Varnell and Loyd Varnell.

Condolences may be left for the family and the guestbook may be signed online at www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com