Charlie Gale Ray

Charlie Gale Ray passed away peacefully at his home in Batesville, AR January 12, 2021 at the age of 75.

Mr. Ray was born December 07, 1945 in the Heelstring Community near Corning, AR to Lloyd and Eulala Herren Ray.

He married Carolyn Jane Weston on November 2nd 1963. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church as a child, later becoming a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Gale was a 1964 graduate of Corning High School. He was a retired E. N. C. and gas measurement technician for Kinder Morgan (natural gas pipeline) for 27 years. He was employed 8 years for Weston Grain Elevators, a family business. Gale was also employed for 7 years at Electra Motive Division in Chicago, IL as a foreman for turbine and engine assembly on diesel locomotives, leaving in 1972.

In 1981, he was president of Corning Lion’s Club. Gale enjoyed listening to classical music and music by Frank Sinatra. He was also a collector of classic movies and enjoyed working on electronics. After his retirement, he refurbished his old Allis Chalmers tractor. He was the world's best story teller.

Survivors are his wife Carolyn of 57 years; daughter Debbie Powell and husband John of Batesville; son Chuck Ray of El Paso, TX; granddaughter Lindsey Downs and husband Tyler; brother J. W. “Bud” Ray of Heyburn, ID; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters Evelyn, Janetta, Dortha, and Eva.

Funeral service will be held Thursday January 14, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning with Pastor Herbert Ellis officiating. Burial will be at Richwoods Cemetery in Corning. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Serving as pallbearers, John Powell, Tyler Downs, Tim Bennett, Will Love, and Mark Martin. Honorary pallbearers are Jim McGuire, Frankie Crouch, and Lonnie Hibbard.