Johnny Ray of Hallsville, TX, passed away on January 30, 2022, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was born in Dublin, TX, on January 25, 1945. He grew up in Greenville, TX, attended Navarro Junior College on a basketball scholarship, and graduated from East Texas State University. Because he was a man of few words, Johnny impacted those around him through his actions. Many remember him as hard-working, loyal, dependable, and quietly present. 

After serving a tour in Vietnam with the United States Army, he married the love of his life, Linea Dorsey, in 1969. Johnny was an introvert who attentively managed his catfish restaurant for decades. He enjoyed burn piles, mud, mowing already mowed grass, hopping in his Jeep with his blue heeler Doc to work cattle, and teaching the children in his life how to bait a hook properly. Linea is an extrovert who taught school for years. She lunches with the ladies and decorates the house with beautiful antiques and gorgeous flowers. Although they don’t look like they go together, the love Johnny and Linea felt for each other would transcend the test of time. Clearly, this union was God-ordained. It’s the only explanation. 

Johnny is preceded in death by his father, EJ Ray, Jr., his mother LaRue Hudson, and step-father, Frank. 

Along with his beloved Linea, survivors include his daughter Jamie Eisenhuth, her husband Gary, their children Alex and Addison of Hallsville, and his daughter Lincee Ray of Houston. He is also survived by his step-mother Lesby Ray of Hillsboro, his sisters Shelia Wilson and Sharon Powell and their families, also of Hillsboro, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Please donate to your local Veterans Association in Johnny Ray’s memory in lieu of flowers. Other appropriate ways to honor him may include: loving and providing for your family well, hugging the neck of someone who works in the memory care unit at Heartis Assisted Living in Longview, TX, mowing your neighbor’s lawn, or ceremoniously burning something.