Mr. Ray Franklin Gillette

Ray was born on November 24, 1948, to Frank and June Gillette in the city of Starkville, Mississippi. After Ray graduated from Kimball High School in 1968, he began working in the automotive industry.

Ray worked in the automotive industry for over 50 years. In 1978, Ray opened his own automotive repair shop. Ray was passionate about cars and loved what he did for a living.

In 1966, he met the love of his life, Linda Petty, in Dallas, TX. Ray and Linda went on to have one daughter, Amy Gillette.

Ray never officially retired from the automotive industry, but due to health issues, he could not work for the past year. When Ray was not working on cars, he loved woodworking, fishing, playing guitar, and making memories with his grandkids.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and June Gillette. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda Gillette, his daughter and son-in-law, Brian and Amy Leake, and his six grandchildren, Brianna and Andre Vanzanten, Brittany Leake, Zackary Leake, Brooke Leake, and Brody Leake.

He was a member of the Cowboy Church of Ellis County for over 20 years. He loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. Ray's legacy is that he has trained many young men to become some of the best mechanics around. He was highly respected in the automotive industry.

A visitation for Ray will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 30, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232. A committal service will occur Friday, December 30, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Laurel Land Memorial Park, 6300 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Gillette family.