Robert Leonard Ray

Robert Leonard Ray

88, a resident of Springdale, Arkansas, went to be with his Lord on April 19, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born December 9, 1921 at Wolcott, (Eagle County) Colorado, the son of Jefferson Davis Ray and Nellie Maude Dunagan Christian and stepfather, Joseph K. Pitts.

Bob attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, with a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. He then taught Aircraft Design which included, hydraulics, electrical circuitry, and aircraft sheet metal at Meacham Airport in North Fort Worth, Texas.

Bob was a World War II Veteran in the 96th Infantry Division. He received many awards of which was the World War II Victory Medal, the United States Defense Award, the Good Conduct Medal, two Bronze Stars, three Oak Leaf Clusters, two Purple Hearts, five Asiatic Pacific Awards, Combat Infantry Badge, Phillippines Liberation Award, the Philippines Leyte Award, the Okinawa Award, the Japan Occupation Award, an Individual Presidential Award, and the Division Presidential Award, and the 96th Infantry Division Presidential Unit Citation of Okinawa.

Immediately after World War II, he attended the University of Arkansas, with classes in civil engineering and geology. Following WW II, he was involved in utility operations in Borger, Texas, and Arkansas Western Gas. From there he went to Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and then to the Colorado Public Service Company. He then became Engineer and Supervisor at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which he did many designs in the operation of utilities for the Base. Then he was hired by the Army Corps of Engineers in the Air Force as a fueling specialist on the Atlas Ballistic Missiles. He was a Propellant Loading Systems Specialist in several Midwestern and western states.

He became an engineer on the excavation of silos to hold missiles at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, Roswell, New Mexico, Tucson, Arizona, Little Rock, Arkansas, and many other locations.

In 1961 he transferred to the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation. He was stationed in Redding, California. He then later moved to Los Banos, California, as chief engineer in design of the Hydro-Electric Power Plants, generator power plants, switch yards, and the California Aqueduct Water Conveyance Systems that provided the water for farmland vegetation in mid and southern California. He continued then to be a consulting engineer from then until he retired in 1977.

With many accomplishments that have touched millions of people in his lifetime, none has ever been more dear to his heart than attending church, singing gospel music, being a Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer of the Church. He also served on the Building Committees and trustee of Churches that he attended throughout the years. He was a member of the Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale, Arkansas.

His special hobbies were working in his shop, helping his neighbors sharpening their tools, and helping out where he could. He loved being with family, friends being a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband to his loving wife, Myrtle until the Lord called him home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. Ray, father Nellie Maude Dunagan Christian Ray Pitts, mother and stepfather, Joseph K. Pitts, and infant grandson, four half-brothers and three half-sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Louise Green Ray of 64 years; two sons, Robert Lynn Ray and his wife April of Seaside, Oregon and Jerry Duane Ray and his wife Shirley of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; one sister, Clara Mildred Johnson of Borger, Texas; four grandchildren, Marcus Ray and his wife Cindy of Portland, Oregon, Marina Ray of Washington, D.C., Macy Crum and her husband Matthew of Portland, Oregon, Jerred Ray of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; four great grandchildren;

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove.

Funeral Service will be held Monday, April 26, 2010 10:00 A.M. Elmdale Baptist Church Springdale, Arkansas, with Interment in the National Cemetery at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Grave side services will not be held at the cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. The complete obituary may be viewed on the Luginbuel Web Page. To sign the online guest book, visit www.luginbuel.com