Raymond Denson

Ray was born in Wharton, TX on April 10, 1941. He was a jack of all trades, an athlete in high school, a referee for college basketball and wheelchair basketball. He worked on the oil rigs in Texas, was a pipe fitter, a private investigator and put himself through college and graduate school at the age of 30. He is a distinguished alumn of Houston Baptist University. Ray began his career in social work at Deer Park Hospital in Houston. He worked his way to being a clinical director, a hospital administrator eventually becoming Senior Vice President of operations at Vanguard Health Systems. Ray was an excellent golfer and an avid fisherman. He could navigate the waters of Matagorda Bay and Colorado River like the back of his hand. He loved speckled trout and was a certified weighmaster for the Texas Oilman’s Fishing Tournament. Ray never met a stranger and was known for his contagious smile. He was a member of Hillwood Country Club and served on the board of directors.

Ray is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary, son Todd, daughters Robbye (David Jones), Logan (Danny Raines), and Morgan, grandchildren Matthew Denson, Rachel Jones, and Luke, Lillian and Drew Raines. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Zoe and granddog, Nigel.

Visitation to be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 10:30am at Woodlawn-Roesch- Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12pm with a reception to follow at Hillwood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Coastal Conservation Association