Thornton "Tony" Wayne Ray
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On Monday, December 7, 2020, Thornton "Tony" Wayne Ray, passed away at the age of 82. Tony was born on May 1, 1938, in Ford, Kansas to Donald and Irene (Culver) Ray. He graduated from Ford High School in 1956, and was an alumni of the University of Kansas. Tony made his career managing Cooperatives in Kingsdown, Kansas and Bazine, Kansas. Tony was a proud Mason and Shrine member. He retired in 1993 to Toledo Bend Lake in Hemphill, Texas. In his retirement, he loved to fish, cheer on his KU Jayhawks, and work in his woodshop. With his engineering mind, he was the neighborhood handyman and a member of the Hemphill Historical Commission. Tony was the most comfortable, and his face was the brightest when he was telling his grandchildren funny stories. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Irene; brothers, Melvin Eugene Ray and Harry Eldon Ray; grandsons, Jordan Scott Downing and Kevin "Lee" Gottshall, II. Tony is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandra Ray; brother, Kenneth (Karis) Ray of Wichita, KS; his daughters, Toni (David) Strawn of Kingston, GA, Sheryl (Kevin) Gottshall of The Woodlands, TX; sons, Craig (Jackie) Ray of Zurich, Switzerland, Scott (Mary) Downing of Hays, KS; grandchildren Allison (Josh) Cauthen, Garrett (Carrie) Strawn, Logan (Chelsea) Downing, Dillon Strawn, Stephanie (Taylor) Fehl, Layne Downing, Elizabeth (Christopher) Reina, Kevin Gottshall, III; great-grandchildren, Jozi and Lexi Downing, Hank and Jace Cauthen and Emelia Strawn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hemphill Public Library, Alzheimer's Association or the American Diabetes Association. Due to health concerns, a private service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements were handled by Starr Funeral Home of Hemphill, Texas Condolences can be made at starrfuneralhome.com.