Edd Ray Haley

Edd Ray Haley

September 26, 1940 – June 21, 2023

Our ever kind and always funny father Ray Haley was a Hargill, Texas biscuits-and-gravy country boy, our Air Force pharmacy Rx Superman, a classic Mustang fix-up artiste, a seat-dancin’ country music “juke and jiver”, a burnt-orange-wearing Hook ‘Em Horns fan, and a renowned reclining “witticist” of THINGS DAD SAID. It was an absolute joy having Dad with us again in Texas for his 82nd year. He had gradual health changes, and it was an honor and privilege to share each phase of those changes with him here, with his black morning coffee, laughter at family dinner time, George and Tammy on the record player, and all those good old guys on cowboy TV. Dad also loved just sitting on the backyard porch swing, watching our crazy dogs chase squirrels and birds. And on June 21, 2023, our beloved father peacefully transitioned home, with family holding his hand.

Edd Ray Haley was born to Justus and Janice Haley in the Rio Grande Valley on September 26, 1940. Ray was the gentle-mannered middle child between his rompin’ stompin’ older brother Dean, and their spunky tagalong baby sister Rue Ann. They loved playing cowboys and Indians together, picking oranges from trees, and spending time with their cousins in Hargill. At Edinburg High School, “Rakie” played sousaphone and was a marching band lieutenant. The quote next to his senior photo said, I can resist anything but temptation. Years later, in the booklet for the Edinburg High School 25th-year reunion, Dad confessed that he always had crushes on ALL the girls back then. He was ever a lover and never a fighter!

Dad met our mom Barbara Gatlin on a blind date in 1962 and fell so head-over-heels in love that he proposed that very weekend. They married 100 days later, and with Dad’s first Air Force assignments, the newlyweds soon ventured off to start their life together in the military. In three years, Rhonda was born, then Sharon and Travis followed, two and six years later, respectively. The Haley kids had so much fun in all the places Dad’s career took the family: the Philippines, Ohio, Mississippi, and all parts of Texas. We cherish the priceless reel-to-reel tapes we have from Dad’s time stationed in Korea, along with many other family treasures we kept from our Air Force travels. We have such fond memories of all the important childhood lessons he taught us, especially those critical to summer, like how to spit watermelon seeds, how to “blowflate” balloons, and how to swim and ride bikes. His hobby was restoring well-worn classic cars, and to our dismay, each temporarily served as the family automobile until he could beautify and re-sell it for profit. While Dad was so proud of those classic cars he would “fix up”, to Rhonda and Sharon gray primer was an embarrassment, and we’d lay down in the back seat when he took us anywhere, lest we be seen by our friends! Even though we behaved like typical kids, our Daddy always beamed with pride for each of us our whole lives, which he demonstrated by writing THE best messages in the birthday cards he sent when we lived away as adults – what distinctive penmanship and delightfully thoughtful phrasing he had!

Our Daddy loved our Momma so much that he married her twice, but they were not together as a couple for the last 30 years of his life. Still, grandchildren, mutual relations, and family events brought them together for celebrations and countless happy family photos over those years. In the early 90s, Dad married Cheryl with her mile-wide-smile – a self-proclaimed “junktiquer” who liked fishing and camping with Dad and their families. Cheryl was much loved, and her sons, Chris and J.P. Kobbe, were always fun “bonus additions” to our family. After Cheryl’s untimely passing, Dad remarried and enjoyed Florida for a few good years with his last wife and her family. When our Daddy’s health changed, we joyfully welcomed him back to Texas with us so we could care for him in his final years. We had abundant blessings with our priceless Daddy Ray every single day, and we are so grateful for this precious time together again.

Ray Haley is preceded in Heaven by his parents Justus and Janice, wife Cheryl, his beautiful sister Rue Ann, and many loved ones from Hargill and Grand Prairie, TX. Here, to always love our precious Daddy Ray with funny memories and priceless photos are: his story-telling brother Dean Haley and his bubbly wife Diana, coparent/grandparent Barbara Dingman, foodie-teacher-daughter Rhonda Haley, fancy business daughter Sharon Purcell and her golden husband Pat, handsome pilot son Travis Haley and his talented wife Lisa; enormously treasured grandchildren Brytini, Evan, Carson, Gabriel, and Corbyn (who he regularly laughed and cried “happy tears” about). Our father was also Uncle Rakie to adored nieces and nephews: Lelan; James, Gary, Calvin, and Sherry Kay; and Jeff and Jennie Lou – a Haley, four Cantrells, and two Gatlins – all who shared many happy memories with him.

Anyone who loved our father, Ray Haley, knew he was an epic napper. In Heaven above, our precious Daddy Ray now has his best recliner EVER – but we’re sure he’s talking so much with family and friends there that he hasn’t nodded off yet! We always love our father Ray Haley and look forward to more time together later. We’re certain he’ll have funny new things to say when we get there!

*** Details for Ray Haley’s memorial will be shared at a later date ***

In his honor, we truly appreciate any donations to texasliverfoundation.org

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