Hal R. "Tres" Ray III

1989 - 2023

Hal R. Ray III "Tres"
March 13, 1989 - April 14, 2023
Denton, Texas

Tres Ray passed away on April 14, 2023 at his home. He was 34 years old.

Born in Wichita Falls, Tres attended public school in Fort Worth before moving with his family to Aledo. While in high school, he completed his Ranger year at Camp Longhorn, became an Eagle Scout, and was co-captain of the varsity swim team. Tres graduated in 2007 before embarking on what became a non-traditional college experience. As a freshman, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University and was proudly initiated into Sigma Chi. Thereafter, he attended Tarrant County College, Weatherford College, and Tarleton State University, before ultimately graduating from Texas Tech University in 2011 with a marketing degree as a distinguished graduate of the Rawls College of Business.

Starting at 14 on the check-in counter at Mad Ivan's Paintball in Fort Worth, Tres worked. From there, he became the first employee hired at Kwik Kar of Aledo. During the 2008 ski-season in Keystone, Colorado, Tres covered the snack bar, but lived for the mountain and the memories he made with his great friends. His first job out of college was with Group 1 Automotive in Lubbock and Austin. He later worked in the health information technology field and became a licensed property and casualty insurance agent.

But really, Tres enjoyed having fun. He made friends easily and never knew a stranger. Friends that he made all across the country will miss him, dearly.

Tres was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hal Ray, Sr. of Wichita Falls, and Mr. and Mrs. James Culpepper of Marshall; his mother, Nan Ray; and his uncle, Stephen Culpepper. His father, Hal Ray of Fort Worth; his sister, Victoria "Tori" Ray of Austin; his beloved four-legged companion, Blondie; and numerous extended family and friends will cherish his memory.

Tres did not care for funerals, but we respectfully insist on celebrating his life. His friends in Denton plan a social gathering on Sunday, April 23. Details for this event can be found on Facebook. His family will hold a reception in his memory on Saturday, April 29, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3233 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107. If, like Tres, you would rather not come, or you are unable to be there, please consider buying a lottery ticket, dipping your feet in a body of water, and remembering him.