Donnie Ray

Donnie Ray, 93, of Pampa, passed away at home on May 22, 2025.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Mark Lance, minister of the Memphis Church of Christ, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Donnie was born the youngest of seven children to Obed and Oshie Ray on July 10, 1931. As a young child, his family moved to Shamrock where he attended and later graduated high school. As a teenager, Donnie was a competitive golden glove boxer who won the featherweight championship in 1950. Following high school, he came to Pampa for a summer job at the Cabot Corporation, and that is where he met his true love, Shirley Shultz. Shortly after he was drafted into the United States Army and during basic training, he and Shirley would marry on June 2, 1952. Donnie served during the Korean War and after his discharge, he came back to Pampa where he returned to Cabot and retired 38 years later.

After his retirement with Cabot, Donnie could not sit still, so he started doing some consulting work in the oil & gas industry. He continued to stay busy with outdoor activities that included fishing, hunting, and tending to his horses, cattle and land. Donnie was also active with his church, Mary Ellen Church of Christ and served as a deacon. Donnie had a great sense of humor, but he was also a man of his word. He will be remembered as a loving, caring, and generous man who often put others before himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Donna Hagermann and Cindy Fought; a grandson, Bryce Hickey; and by six siblings.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Shirley Ray of the home; daughters, Melinda Wilkinson of Clovis, New Mexico, and Melissa Waldrip of Pampa; son, Peyton Ray of Pampa; 10 grandchildren; numerous greatgrandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.