Dr. Ray Allen Ashcraft

Ray was born in Johnson County near Joshua, TX, on March 4, 1934. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Gladys (Doyle) Ashcraft, by a brother James and by a sister Bobby Jean.

Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda Ashcraft, and their three children: Allen Ashcraft and wife Brigid of Montgomery; Luann Wheeler and husband Jim of Temple; and Daniel Ashcraft and wife Jolene of Austin. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Ryan Ashcraft and wife Jill; Kathleen Doane and husband Bryan; Jamie Wheeler; and Dean Ashcraft. He also had three great-grandchildren: Bennett, Evan, and Crosby.

Ray graduated from Joshua High School in 1951. He attended Arlington State College and North Texas State College where he received a B.S. degree. That’s also where he met the love of his life, Linda Holmes. They were married in Dallas on June 7, 1958. In 1959 he enrolled in Baylor University College of Dentistry and received his D.D.S degree in 1963. He was a member of the Baylor Odontological Honor Society.

After graduation, he maintained private practices, first in Fort Stockton, TX, and then in Waxahachie, TX. In 1975 he left private practice and joined the Veteran’s Administration at VAMC Memphis, TN. In 1978 he was selected as Chief of Dental Service at VAMC Durham, NC. In 1984 he transferred to the Olin E. Teague VAMC in Temple as Chief of Dental Service and later was selected to be Chief of Dentistry for the Central Texas Health Care System. Ray retired in 2002 after 38 years practicing dentistry.

Ray was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Hospital Dentists. He was a part-time faculty member of three dental schools: Baylor College of Dentistry; University of Tennessee; and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was instrumental in starting the dental hygiene program at Temple College, and after retirement he served as a part-time clinical instructor there. During his retirement, he also enjoyed being a member of the Emeritus Medicus, and he served on the Bell County Board of Health for several years. He and Linda spent a lot of time as volunteers together serving various charitable organizations and traveling together.

Ray was a veteran of the United States Navy and later served in the North Carolina National Guard as well as many years in the US Army Reserve Dental Corps.

He was an active member of First Methodist Church of Temple where he served on several committees and was a longtime usher. He participated in and enjoyed the fellowship of the weekly men’s prayer breakfast there.

A memorial service will take place Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 11:00am at First Methodist Church of Temple with Dr. Tom Robbins officiating. Inurnment will be at Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials sent to First Methodist Church of Temple (www.templemethodist.org), Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas (www.scottishriteforchildren.org), or to the donor’s choice of charity would be appreciated.