Ray Sanders, Jr.

Funeral Services for Ray Sanders, Jr., 72, of Timpson will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Fred Wilcox officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Garrison Funeral Home.

Billy Ray Sanders, Jr, aged 72, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at his home of 47 years in Stockman, Texas.  He was born in Nacogdoches on April 3, 1952, to Billy Ray Sr. & Frances Teer Sanders.  Ray Jr. was the firstborn child of three to Ray & Frances. Ray Jr. lived in many states during his childhood due to his father’s service in the United States Army, and Ray Jr. was 19 months old before he met his father because he was drafted into the Korean War.

Ray moved back to Garrison in the fifth grade from Fort Lee, Virginia and attended Garrison schools.  He graduated from Garrison High School in 1970.  After graduating from high school, Ray left Garrison and moved to Nacogdoches where he enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University and began working at Tipton Ford.  In the winter of 1972, Tipton Ford hosted a Christmas banquet.  Ray had finally worked up the courage to ask Kay Samford, his wife of 51 years, to be his date.  This was their first date, and they were married shortly after on May 11, 1973.  Their marriage set an example of unconditional love, patience, and gentleness to all.

In the late 1970s, Ray was a Boy Scout Leader for Troup 108.  He was a member of the Nacogdoches Bass Club and the Garrison Lions Club.  He played bass guitar for two bands throughout high school and into early adulthood, The Scavengers and The Roadmasters.  His love of music never dwindled and stayed with him until the end.

Ray and Kay had two daughters, Valerie and Jana.  He loved spending time with his family, especially during the holidays when the whole family was together.  His greatest joy in life was his grandchildren.  He was their biggest fan and never missed a game, contest, banquet, or graduation.  He taught them how to ride bikes, fish, and loved to take them camping.  He witnessed the marriage of his first two grandchildren and was only a few weeks shy of meeting his first great-grandchild.

Ray loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping.  His favorite place was Colorado, where he loved to ride four-wheelers in the summer, elk hunt in the fall and snow ski in the winter.  He was a hard worker and owned and operated Sanders Supermarket from 1982 to 1996.  During this time, he had many customers and made many lifelong friends.  He then owned a Poultry House Service for 28 years.  He retired in February 2024 due to a long battle with cancer.  Ray was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and had a courageous fight that he endured with unwavering faith.

He was an active member of Spirit of Life Church in Garrison, where he enjoyed playing the bass guitar and singing on Sunday mornings.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Kay Sanders of Timpson; mother Frances Sanders of Garrison; daughters, Valerie Sparks & friend Robbie Box of Nacogdoches and Jana Sanders of Bossier City; grandchildren Allie Foose & husband Charles of Dallas, Emily Gates & husband Hunter of Joaquin, Riley Sparks of Nacogdoches, Mason Sanders of Bossier City and Mallory Sanders of Bossier City; siblings Melody Lowery of Huntington and brother Ken Sanders of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Billy Ray Sanders, Sr.

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