Charlie Ray

Charles Kenneth Ray, Jr. (Charlie Ray) was born February 5, 1951 to C.K. and Becky Ray in Conroe, Texas and departed from this life to his new life in Heaven on January 18, 2018 at the age of 66 years, 11 months and 13 days. Charlie was a hometown boy being a second generation “Conroeite”. He loved his community and was a dedicated lawman who was proud of his roots and his service to his community. He graduated from Conroe High School with the class of 1969 and attended Sam Houston State in Huntsville, where he took some classes in Criminology. He worked for Gaylord Construction during the summers as a roustabout, but he had a love for detective work and went to work for District Attorney Jim Keeshan as an investigator. He joined the Conroe Police Department in 1971 and rejoined in 1986, where he served as a dispatcher, and patrol officer and a detective on the Narcotics Task Force (We called those his “Serpico Years). During his time as a Narcotics Detective, he got to be one of the police protection officers when President Gerald Ford came to town with his campaign for President. Charlie’s next position in the Police Dept. came when he was promoted to lieutenant, then deputy chief under Chief John Lindon and ultimately Police Chief, the position he served from 2003 until his retirement in 2009. After 38 years with the Police Dept., he retired at the age of 58 to be with his wife, Jennifer who had been diagnosed with cancer. He wanted to be there for her as she had supported him throughout their 18 years of marriage. She lost her battle with cancer in December of 2012 with her loving husband by her side. Charlie loved his community and served as a board member of the Conroe Area Girls’ Softball Association; a board member of Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County; vice president of the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Board; a member of FUMC, the Conroe Jaycees and the Conroe Lions Club. Charlie loved baseball and played catcher for many years with his dad as his first coach. He loved watching the Astros and the Texas Rangers and didn’t miss watching a game on t.v. or if her had the chance attending one in Houston. He was super excited this year as he watched the Astros win their first ever World Series title. He also loved NASCAR Racing and never missed watching it, matter of fact Sunday afternoons during racing season were taboo for calling him and interrupting his race. Charlie is survived by his loving sister, Patty Dawson of Carthage, TX; his nephews, Andy Dawson and wife Teri of Beckville, Mark Dawson and wife, Brandy of Gary , and Jeff Dawson and wife, Kacey of Beckville; great nieces and nephews, Chase, Kaylee, Lexie, Skylar, and Kaydence Dawson, Davin and Kiara Moody and Jayden Harris. Also surviving are step-children, Myla Cobler and husband, Billy, Toma Harrison and wife, Lana; step-grandchildren, Keely, Jack and Ty Cobler and Kailyn, Carson and Aubrey Harrison, numerous cousins and friends. Funeral services for Charlie will be Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Cashner Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Garden Park Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 22nd at Cashner Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be the Conroe Police Department Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Dawson, Mark Dawson, Jeff Dawson, Chase Dawson, Toma Harrison, Mike Arthur, Charles Tullis, Bill Dawson, Eddie Case, Billy Cobler and the Conroe Police Department. Charlie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jennifer, his parents, C.K. and Becky Ray and his brother-in-law, Jim Dawson. Donations may be made in his memory to: FUMC, Conroe Police Officers Association or the charity of your choice. You are invited to view our webpage and leave written tributes to the family at cashnerconroe.com