1925
Ray
2011
Ray Garner
July 16, 1925 — June 10, 2011
Edward Ray Garner, the only son of William Jesse and Lois Mae (Porterfield) Garner, completed his final sprint to Heaven on June 10, 2011. He was born in Waco, Texas, on July 16, 1925. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 1:00 Monday, June 13, 2011, at Grace Garden Funeral Home, officiated by Mike Toby, Chris Womack, and Jim Grey. Honorary pallbearers will be David Childs, Chuck Olney, Waydell Reynolds, Joe Brown, Frank Beard, and Don Hutto.
The self-titled “Fastest Kid in East Waco,” Ray lived a rich and vibrant life centered around his family, his home and yard, and his devotion to the Lord. He left Waco High School despite dreams of athletic glory and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, serving honorably in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1946 as a Signalman First Class. Upon returning to Waco in 1946, he met and married Constance Faye Smith, started his family, and graduated from Baylor University in 1952 with a degree in physical education. During his long career in sales, he traveled the world but was happiest when he returned home. He loved sports, especially Baylor athletics, and was always golfing, playing tennis, walking, and racing the neighborhood kids. Ray married the love of his life and his soul mate, Jean Stephens Garner, in 1989. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Woodway and spent his “retirement” years serving in the Midway ISD and at Wal-Mart. His service to his country was honored and commemorated upon his induction into the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2004.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters. Remaining behind to mourn his passing while celebrating his energy, humor, and compassion are his wife, Jean; daughters Jean Ann and Rafique Jangda, Carolyn and Trevor Enyeart, Holly and Craig Johnson, and Laura and Louie Diaz; sons Stephen and Elaine Garner and John and Tammy Garner; ten grand-children: Eileen Alexander, Christopher Garner, Elizabeth Garner, Erik Garner, Joshua Garner, Stephanie Garner, Rachel Morehead, Rebecca Morehead, Benjamin Johnson, and Nicholas Johnson; two great-grandchildren: Sarah Chevalier and Jonah Garner; and countless dear and loving friends. The family requests that any memorial gifts be directed to Mission Waco’s Church Under The Bridge or to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
  Born: July 16, 1925  Death: June 10, 2011
The self-titled “Fastest Kid in East Waco,” Ray lived a rich and vibrant life centered around his family, his home and yard, and his devotion to the Lord. He left Waco High School despite dreams of athletic glory and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, serving honorably in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1946 as a Signalman First Class. Upon returning to Waco in 1946, he met and married Constance Faye Smith, started his family, and graduated from Baylor University in 1952 with a degree in physical education. During his long career in sales, he traveled the world but was happiest when he returned home. He loved sports, especially Baylor athletics, and was always golfing, playing tennis, walking, and racing the neighborhood kids. Ray married the love of his life and his soul mate, Jean Stephens Garner, in 1989. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Woodway and spent his “retirement” years serving in the Midway ISD and at Wal-Mart. His service to his country was honored and commemorated upon his induction into the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2004.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters. Remaining behind to mourn his passing while celebrating his energy, humor, and compassion are his wife, Jean; daughters Jean Ann and Rafique Jangda, Carolyn and Trevor Enyeart, Holly and Craig Johnson, and Laura and Louie Diaz; sons Stephen and Elaine Garner and John and Tammy Garner; ten grand-children: Eileen Alexander, Christopher Garner, Elizabeth Garner, Erik Garner, Joshua Garner, Stephanie Garner, Rachel Morehead, Rebecca Morehead, Benjamin Johnson, and Nicholas Johnson; two great-grandchildren: Sarah Chevalier and Jonah Garner; and countless dear and loving friends. The family requests that any memorial gifts be directed to Mission Waco’s Church Under The Bridge or to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
  Born: July 16, 1925  Death: June 10, 2011
Memorial Service
Monday June 13, 2011 , 1:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.Guestbook
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