Ray Edward Basinger

1931 - 2018

Ray Edward Basinger, 87, of Amarillo passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

The family will receive guests from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, September 28, 2018 in the Memorial Park Funeral Home's Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 4317 W. Interstate 40 in Amarillo, on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 10am with Bill Ivans presiding.

Ray was born on August 19, 1931 in Hartford, Arkansas to Jeff and Stella Basinger. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Brocchus on August 26, 1955. They were married for 60 wonderful years before she passed away on February 03, 2016. Ray played high school football in Hartford, Arkansas. He went on to play college football at the University of the Ozarks. He received his master's degree from the University of Arkansas. He was inducted into the University of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame in February of 2005. He was also Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association for several years. He coached football for 36 years and made a lasting impression on the lives of countless students and athletes. He coached five years in Fort Smith, Arkansas, beginning in 1959. He coached for a total of 31 years in Amarillo, Texas, beginning at Bowie Junior High School. In 1963 he took a varsity coaching position at Caprock High School. He became the head football coach at Caprock in 1969 and remained in that position for 21 years before retiring in June of 1990. Ray was a gentle giant who was a country boy at heart. He was loved by all who met him. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and annual trips to Lake City, Colorado; playing cards, and dominoes with Ann and the family.

Ray was preceded in in death by his parents Jeff and Stella Basinger, three sisters Connie Ford, Veneda Riddle, and Betty Stallings; wife Ann Basinger, daughter in law Debbie Basinger; and sister in law Nina Brocchus. Those left to cherish his memory are his brother Larry Basinger of Greenwood, Arkansas, his mother in law Katherine Gebhardt of Jacksonville, Arkansas, brother in law Bob Brocchus of Jacksonville, Arkansas, daughter Becky Chapman and husband Richard of Tulia, Texas, son Kenney Basinger and wife Juli of Flower Mound, Texas; dearly loved grandchildren Kristi, Katie, Bradley and wife Ashley, Collin, Haley, and Grant; and precious great grandchildren Derrick and Davin.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Youth Ministry or First United Methodist Men of Tulia, in honor of Ray.