Ray Dial

Captain Ray Clifford Dial was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 23, 2015. Ray was born on November 28, 1923 in Lamesa, TX to parents B.F. and Dore Dial. Ray was the only boy in a family of six children. There is much rejoicing in Heaven as he reunites with his parents and sisters Frankie, Erma, Mildred, Lois and Evelyn and his son, Timo who all preceded him in death.

Ray served bravely in the Navy during WWII in the Pacific. Afterwards, he came home to work on Tugboats in the Port of Houston and also started Manchester Wire Rope.

Soon after, he met his beautiful wife Mavis on the beach in Galveston. They were married for 64 wonderful years.

Ray worked for the Port of Houston Authority on the fireboat Capt. Crotty, as a marine firefighter and worked his way up to Captain. He served on the Capt. Crotty until it was decommissioned and then as Captain on the Howard T. Tellepsen until he retired in 1986.

Ray was an ordained Deacon and served his Church for many years. He loved fishing, working in his workshop and repairing and building just about anything you could imagine. He was skilled in woodworking and welding and various other vocations.

Ray was a quiet, gentle soul, who was respected and loved by all who knew him. He loved his family with all his heart and was a wonderful husband and father and friend to many. Ray is survived by his beloved wife Mavis, his children Debra Roddam and her husband, Tim, his daughter-in-law, Debra Dial, his son Micah Dial, his son Paul Dial and his wife, Carol. He is also survived by his grandchildren Tim, Chris, Stephen, Richard, Shannon, Clifford, Audrey and Evan and his great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held Saturday, February 28, at Niday Funeral Home, with burial at Houston National Cemetery.