Carl Ray Lee, 92, of Booker, Texas, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in Perryton, Texas.  Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Booker, Texas.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Booker Christian Church in Booker, Texas, with burial following in Heart Cemetery in Booker.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. of Perryton, Texas.

Ray was born October 7, 1931, six and a half miles southwest of Booker to Walter (Doc) and Dora Wakefield Lee.  Ray was the 11th child of 12 children born to his parents.

Ray started school in Perryton and graduated high school from Booker.  He loved all sports, with tennis being his favorite.  After high school, Ray attended Panhandle Agriculture and Mechanical College at Goodwell, Oklahoma for one semester in the fall of 1950.  Ray received a draft notice in 1951 and enlisted in the Navy, following in the footsteps of three of his older brothers.

On May 18, 1952, Ray married his high school sweetheart, LaVada Viola Kerns.  They began their married life in Corpus Christi, then were transferred to San Diego.  Ray was then sent overseas to Guam.  While serving on Guam, he was given the opportunity to transfer to the island of Tinian to take care of cattle for the Navy.  LaVada joined him on Tinian and taught school while there.

After serving in the Navy, Ray attended West Texas State College, graduating with a B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1958.  He taught math in Slaton, Spearman, and Perryton.

Ray gave his life to Christ in 1952.  While living in Slaton, he was baptized at the Christian Church.

LaVada and Ray welcomed their first son, Michael Ray, in 1956.  Ray and LaVada told Michael they were going Christmas shopping and came back with Jay Duane in 1962.  In 1965, Ray and LaVada built their home on the family farm south of Booker.

He served on the boards of the Booker Christian Church, the Equity Exchange, the Federal Land Bank, and the Booker ISD School Board.

In 2006, Ray and LaVada moved into Booker due to LaVada's failing health.  She passed away May 17, 2008.

On November 18, 2009, Ray married Marilyn Yvonne Shipman.  They have enjoyed farming and ranching, traveling, and playing cards with various groups.

Ray was preceded in death by his father and mother, his wife, LaVada, five brothers and six sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of the home; two sons, Michael and wife, Renee, and Jay, all of Booker; granddaughters, Marla Durant and husband, Antonio, of McAllen; Meridith Gibson and husband, Colby, of Lubbock; five great-grandchildren, Julieta, Luka, and Ezra Durant; and Andrew and Ella Gibson.

He is also survived by step-children, Vonda Brannan and husband, Ron, of Granbury; Lori Jack and husband, Weldon, of Canadian; Paul Shipman and wife, Kellye, of Marion; nine step-grandchildren and eight step-great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Kiowa Pride Academic Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 288, Booker, Texas, 79005 and to Kiowa Kountry, P.O. Box 292, Booker, Texas, 79005.