FEBRUARY 8, 1943 – JANUARY 3, 2021
Charles Davis Ray (“Charlie”) passed away peacefully at home on January 3, 2021, after a battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Corsicana, Texas on February 8, 1943, to Marguerite Maggard and Charles Garvis Ray. Charlie attended high school in both Hobbs and Artesia, New Mexico, graduating from Artesia High School in 1961. Following graduation, Charlie joined the US Army, completing his initial six-month training and then served as a reserve for several years thereafter. He continued his education at University of New Mexico from which he graduated in 1966, with a degree in finance. Thereafter, he went to work at Texaco in Roswell, later transferring to Midland in 1969. Afterwards, he went to work at Midland National Bank. While working in the Trust Department at the bank, Charlie developed lifelong friendships with mentors that later enabled Charlie to further expand his career into the oil and gas industry.
Since 1975, Charlie’s career has been primarily in oil and gas ventures although he did not limit his business dealings to just the energy industry. He also found time to dabble in golf course and land development. For many years, he attended federal and state oil and gas lease sales in New Mexico to procure interests in properties for development. For the remainder of his life, Charlie worked as an independent oil operator. He was blessed with an abundance of lifelong friends and partners. Charlie was an avid golfer, traveling the world to play his favorite courses. He traveled yearly to Hawaii to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for an extended birthday golf trip and made many lifelong friends while there. He could also be spotted without fail at Starbucks every day at 5:00 a.m. to meet his friends to commensurate and to start his day on a happy note. He was a longtime member of Midland Country Club, present every day to offer golf suggestions to friends. Charlie served as Club President and Club Golf Champion, achievements of which he was equally proud. He attended First Presbyterian Church and also First Baptist Church of Midland throughout the years. He was a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, the Permian Basin Landmen’s Association, the New Mexico Landmen’s Association, the Petroleum Club of Midland, the Minuet Club, and the Coterie Club. He had many friends and will be greatly missed. Charlie is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lynne Stoltenberg Ray of Midland, Texas; his sister Kathy Ray Davenport of Fort Worth; his daughter Anna-Margaret Ray Morris of Austin; his step-children, Debi Sport Moore (Sean Moore) of Midland, Sheri Sport of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Ross Sport (Tasha Finley Sport) of Midland; grandchildren: Anna-Nicole, Truman and Margaret Morris; Reagan and Joe “Reilly” Smith; Tommy and Kelsi Moore; Hunter, Sport, Delaney and Dylan Faust; and Connor Sport; nephew Bryan Davenport (Adriane Cobb Davenport) of Trophy Club, Texas; niece Jennifer Davenport Adair (Patrick Adair) of Shallowater, Texas; in-laws Richard and Sue Anne Campbell of Midland, other relatives, loved ones and friends. In light of the current COVID situation, an intimate family memorial service and burial will take place pending arrangements with the Ellis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Hospice of Midland, M.D. Anderson, or the charity of your choice.
John McElligott wrote:
I was lucky to meet Charlie in Midland along with my wife, Lisa. We had dinner with him and Lynn and talked about everything except the details you see in his Obit. I am amazed at just how we find out the most fascinating details of someone only after they have passed. Look at Knox Nunley for an example… his after MHS life was amazing. See Knox in the RIP (https://whatsinthewaterinmidlandtexas.com/category/nunnally-knox-rip/).
Now Charlie hit the biggest home run of anyone I know who became a Water Drinker. He married Lynn. Everybody at Midland High was in love with Lynn. Problem was we were afraid to ask “would to go on a date”. And to this day I have never met anyone who knew Charlie that could say what Charlie did in Midland. I was told he was a bank teller and a Loan Officer. My brother’s wife worked with him and never knew what he did. So Hopefully Lynn will chime in and tell us what a wonderful guy he was for her, her children and his. Plus looks like he could play golf.