Donald Ray

Donald Wayne Ray Sr., 81, of Fritch gained his angel wings surrounded by his family on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at First Southern Baptist Church in Fritch with Pastor Dan Brunson officiating. Graveside services will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park with Dr. Jim Ray officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Minton Chatwell Funeral Home in Fritch.

Don was born on April 17, 1941 to Dorotha (Dunham) and Edward Ray in Quanah, TX. He moved to Amarillo as a young man and attended Amarillo elementary schools and Amarillo High School.

Don married Joyce Bloxom on June 5, 1958 in Amarillo. They welcomed a son, Donnie Wayne Jr. on Feb. 18, 1959 and daughter, Kellie Denise on Dec. 29, 1960. Joyce preceded him in death in January 1981.

He married Linda Blassingame on Nov. 19, 1981 in Guymon, Okla. and were joined by Billy, Traci and Bobby, whom he raised as his own. After seven years of being “empty nesters,” they welcomed their granddaughter, Brooklyn in their home on Dec. 24, 1999 and raised her as their own.

He worked at Maywood and as a truck driver for Levi Strauss. He began his Asarco (Amarillo Copper Refinery) career at the Zinc Plant where he worked for 10 years and then moved to the Materials Handling department at ACR plant where he retired after 27 years in 2003. He couldn’t stay “retired” for long. He went to work for Conner Industries in Borger and officially retired in 2019.

His hobbies included bowling, hunting, fishing, setting trot lines with his dad and spending family time at the lake. He loved driving his boat and pulling the kids (adult kids included) on “Wally the Innertube” and skis. His most favorite hobby was “tinkering” in his beloved woodshop. He could build anything. He was known as “Mr. Fix It.” Everyone loved to come and work in his shop. He loved to help kids and grandkids with projects. He and Linda started D & L Crafts and spent many hours building, painting and traveling to craft shows.

Don was known by many names, Don Ray, Honey, Dad, Daddy Don, Poppa Don, Grandpa, Papa, Brother and Uncle. No matter his name, he was the very best.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joyce; sister, Elizabeth “Peg” Mackowiak; daughter-in-law, Cindy Ray Davis; brothers-in-law, Ed Scifres, Dan Owsley, David Housley and Jim McCluskey; nephew, David Mackowiak; and great-grandson, Jayden Blassingame.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of the home; children, Donnie Ray and wife Delillah of Paris, TX; Kellie and husband Mark Welch of Littlefield, TX; Billy Blassingame and wife Terri of Wolfforth, TX; Traci and husband Clint McMinn of Fritch; Bobby Ray and wife Adria of Lubbock; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and husband Tyrell Bidwell and children Lexi and Zander of Fritch; Brittney and husband Patrick Fort and children Avery and Eason of Shady Shores, TX; Brianna and husband Landon Friemel and children Madisyn, Masyn and Mason of Wildorado, TX; Brad Ray and wife Randi and children Kinsey and Sidney of Amarillo; Joe Paul Montgomery and wife Cassi and son Sterling of Amarillo; Whitney and husband Chance Bingham and children Caden, Rylen and Brecken of Matador, TX; Samuel Welch of Dallas, TX; Brandon Blassingame and wife Jessica and son Braylon of Amarillo; Brent Blassingame and wife Brandy and son Nythaniel of Levelland, TX; Brett, Bradley and Brendan Blassingame of Amarillo; Seth McMinn and fiancé Lillie McNeill of Lubbock; Sean McMinn and girlfriend Halle Lytal of Amarillo; Sara and husband Carson Spitler and son Cason of Amarillo; and Dallin Ray of Lubbock; brothers, Dr. Jim Ray and wife Cynthia of Lake Eufaula, Okla; and Tom Ray and wife Diana of Fritch; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Scifres and Tina Mack of Pflugerville, TX and Terri Owsley of Ft. Myers, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Jim Owsley and wife Karen of Ponchatoula, La. and Jim Mackowiak of Lubbock; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved four-legged best friend, Fore.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or a favorite charity.

You may view Don's funeral service by copying and pasting the youtube link into your browser.

https://youtu.be/uTvDsAelE5Y