Ray Carter

Ray Carter went to be with his Lord after his third bout with cancer. Funeral services will be conducted at Faith Lutheran Church on Monday September 17, 2007 at 2:30 with Pastor Dale Lehfeldt officiating. Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, Septem ber 16 from 5:00 to 6:30 at Blair - Stubbs Funeral Home. Ray Carter was born in Ganado, Texas on October 21, 1941. He is the son of the late Rex Carter of Mineola and Jimmie Carter of Mineola. He lived for short periods of time in Hobbs, New Mexico; Monahans, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Loving, New Mexico; Terminal, Texas and Odessa, Texas. Before moving to Mexia he lived for seven years in Maryland and Virginia. Ray attended several West Texas schools and graduated from Wink High School in 1960. He was a member of the 1960 State Tract Team from Wink. He attended North Texas State University where he graduated with a BBA in 1964 and a MBA in 1966. While attending The university he was elected and served on the Student Senate. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Ray was a Vietnam Veteran. He served during Tet of 1968 with the 525th Military Intelligence Group stationed just north of Saigon. He received the Army Commendation medal for his service in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states he worked five years for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D. C. as a researcher and writer. Ray served as chairman of the Limestone County Democratic Party from 1978 to 1992. He attended the Democratic National Convention in 1984 in San Francisco. He set up an elected precinct system and was active in the Limestone Democratic Club. In December 1993 the Limestone County Democratic Club honored him and his wife with a plaque for their many years of active service. For his active participation in politics he has been listed in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN POLITICS. Ray was owner and operator of Tejas Fabrics from 1973-2004. He and his wife also owned a fabric store in Corsicana from 1976-1992. In 1992 they added a JCPenney Catalog Merchant Store to the fabric store in Mexia. Ray served as a director on the founding board of Habitat for Humanity, was a PTA officer, was an active member and officer of the Mexia Jaycees, served as President And Board Member of the local Lions Club, was chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission in Mexia and he was president of Tejas Fabrics, Inc. from 1973-2003. Ray was a charter member and past president of the church council of Faith Lutheran Church in Mexia. His other interests included reading from his very extensive 3000 book collection, writing Letters to the editor, playing dominos, attending Mexia High School sports events, traveling and especially spending time with his wife and family. Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was loved by all those who Truly knew him. He shall be missed by all those who were lucky enough to have had him touch their lives in some way. Ray was preceded in death by his father Rex Carter of Mineola and his birth mother Martha Eunice Guin Carter in 1945. Also uncles Laud Carter of Hawkins and James "Chick" Bean of Odessa. His survivors include his dearly loved wife of forty three years, Myrna Lou Riedesel Carter of Mexia; son, Brian Michael Carter and wife Pam and their children Jordan and Chase of Frisco, Texas; son Glenn Andrew Carter and wife Stephanie and their children, Jacob and Morgan of Pearland, Texas; and daughter Rachel Elizabeth Carter Herbrich and husband, Christopher of Pearland, Texas, his mother, Jimmy Carter of Mineola, His brother, James Robert Carter and wife, Brenda of Mineola, his sister Rebecca Janis Carter Jesse and husband, Stuart of Germantown, Tennessee, and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins. Pallbearers are Jimmy McGilvary, Dick Flatt, Johnnie Rogers, Joe Cannon, Tom Fisher And Matt McGilvary. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Bartlett, members of the Mexia Lions Club and members of His biweekly therapy group from the Waco VA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church or Mexia Academic Sweater Scholarship Fund.