1925
Ray
2011
Ray Mathis
January 10, 1925 — September 11, 2011
Ray Mathis, 86, of Lake Tanglewood passed away on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Lake Tanglewood Community Church with Dr. Roger Hubbard officiating. Fire Department Memorial Rites will be accorded. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors. Arrangements by LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, 8310 S. Coulter Rd., Amarillo, TX.
Ray Mathis, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, September 11, 2011. He, and his twin brother Jay, were born January 10, 1925 in Duke, OK to C.P. and Macie Mathis. He and Jay were veterans of WWII and the Korean War. During WWII, Ray served in the U.S. Army with the 138th Combat Engineers, Co. B from April 27, 1944 until June 13, 1946. On November 17, 1944, he landed in Glasco, Scotland, went to Liverpool, and after 2 weeks of infantry training hit the Battle of the Bulge at Assen, Holland. Military campaigns included the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe, and the Rhineland. His military awards included 3 Overseas Service Bars, Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze stars, Army of Occupation Ribbon for Germany, Lapel Button for A5R Score, ETO Ribbon and the Bronze Campaign Star.
During the Korean War, Ray served with Company D, 120th Combat Engineers on Old Baldy north of the 38th Parallel. His military awards included the Army Occupation Medal for Japan and Korean Service Medal with the Bronze Star. Ray’s son Charlie, was 6 months old when Ray saw him for the first time. Jay “Fat”, had a hard time keeping Ray “Slim” from jumping off the train when he spotted his wife, daughter and newborn son waiting for his arrival. He married the love of his life, Doris, on May 7, 1947, in Memphis. They were able to celebrate 60 years of marriage in May 2007 before her passing.
Ray moved his family from Hollis, OK to Amarillo in December 1953. When Ray surrendered his life to the Lord, on November 13, 1955, he became a changed man. Ray spread the gospel to friends, family and strangers. He was ordained as a deacon while attending Highland Baptist Church. Ray proudly worked for Amarillo Fire Department for 29 years before his retirement. Ray moved to Lake Tanglewood where he started the Lake Tanglewood Volunteer Fire Department and served as their first fire chief. He also served as a Deputy and then was voted in as the volunteer Deputy Marshall for Lake Tanglewood. Ray was happy to voluntarily serve the community of Lake Tanglewood from 1971-1996 in these ways.
Ray was selected for the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight in 2009 and was honored to be chosen to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A void will be left in the heart of all his beloved friends, especially: Larry Jackson, Buddy Wilkerson, Ken Bellar, Jodi McBrayer and Bill Harter. The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and support.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, his twin brother, parents and beloved grandparents, Ma and Pa Mathis.
His survivors include his sister, “Toots” Adams and husband Roger of Lubbock; son, Charlie Mathis and wife Karen; daughter, Reta Howard and husband Wilson; three granddaughters, Cristi Bright and husband Andy, Kimmer Conner and husband Jasson, Carli Podzemny and husband Casey; four great granddaughters “his little punkins”; two great grandsons; many nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials to: BSA Hospice and Lake Tanglewood Community Church.
Ray Mathis, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, September 11, 2011. He, and his twin brother Jay, were born January 10, 1925 in Duke, OK to C.P. and Macie Mathis. He and Jay were veterans of WWII and the Korean War. During WWII, Ray served in the U.S. Army with the 138th Combat Engineers, Co. B from April 27, 1944 until June 13, 1946. On November 17, 1944, he landed in Glasco, Scotland, went to Liverpool, and after 2 weeks of infantry training hit the Battle of the Bulge at Assen, Holland. Military campaigns included the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe, and the Rhineland. His military awards included 3 Overseas Service Bars, Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze stars, Army of Occupation Ribbon for Germany, Lapel Button for A5R Score, ETO Ribbon and the Bronze Campaign Star.
During the Korean War, Ray served with Company D, 120th Combat Engineers on Old Baldy north of the 38th Parallel. His military awards included the Army Occupation Medal for Japan and Korean Service Medal with the Bronze Star. Ray’s son Charlie, was 6 months old when Ray saw him for the first time. Jay “Fat”, had a hard time keeping Ray “Slim” from jumping off the train when he spotted his wife, daughter and newborn son waiting for his arrival. He married the love of his life, Doris, on May 7, 1947, in Memphis. They were able to celebrate 60 years of marriage in May 2007 before her passing.
Ray moved his family from Hollis, OK to Amarillo in December 1953. When Ray surrendered his life to the Lord, on November 13, 1955, he became a changed man. Ray spread the gospel to friends, family and strangers. He was ordained as a deacon while attending Highland Baptist Church. Ray proudly worked for Amarillo Fire Department for 29 years before his retirement. Ray moved to Lake Tanglewood where he started the Lake Tanglewood Volunteer Fire Department and served as their first fire chief. He also served as a Deputy and then was voted in as the volunteer Deputy Marshall for Lake Tanglewood. Ray was happy to voluntarily serve the community of Lake Tanglewood from 1971-1996 in these ways.
Ray was selected for the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight in 2009 and was honored to be chosen to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A void will be left in the heart of all his beloved friends, especially: Larry Jackson, Buddy Wilkerson, Ken Bellar, Jodi McBrayer and Bill Harter. The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and support.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, his twin brother, parents and beloved grandparents, Ma and Pa Mathis.
His survivors include his sister, “Toots” Adams and husband Roger of Lubbock; son, Charlie Mathis and wife Karen; daughter, Reta Howard and husband Wilson; three granddaughters, Cristi Bright and husband Andy, Kimmer Conner and husband Jasson, Carli Podzemny and husband Casey; four great granddaughters “his little punkins”; two great grandsons; many nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials to: BSA Hospice and Lake Tanglewood Community Church.
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