Marcus Jackson Ray

Funeral services for Marcus Jackson Ray, 84, of Tyler, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Heritage Trail Cowboy Church in Ben Wheeler with Pastor C.R. Chapman officiating. A private burial will follow at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Ray passed away on October 7, 2025, in Lindale.
Marcus Jackson Ray was born on October 5, 1941, in Deland, Florida, to parents Rossie Little Ray and Aline (Taylor) Ray. He served in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964 and later retired from Carrier Air Conditioning, where he worked on the assembly line for 20 years. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and watching college football, particularly supporting the Georgia Bulldogs. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Brenda S. Ray; daughter, Teresa Ray; son-in-law, Glenn Schmidt; and brother, Merrell Ray.
Survivors include his children, Denise Morgan of Tyler, Sean Ray and wife Sherry of Brownsboro, Dawn Darden and husband Jeff of Lindale, and Derek Ray and wife Mandy of Martins Mill; his two granddaughters, whom he raised, Tracey Smith and husband Tucker of Tyler and Stephanie LeMaster and husband Jason of Waco; along with 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers will be Tanner Ray, Ryan Darden, Mark Schmidt, Chris Schmidt, Justin LeMaster, and Kaden Schmidt.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 10:00-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
The family requests that all attendees wear black and red to support the mighty Georgia Bulldogs, his favorite team.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.