Services for Vernon Dale Ray, 84, of Dean, LA will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Farmerville, LA with Visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Memorial services following at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Brother Bubba Hoggatt. Interment will follow at a later date.

Vernon was born October 11, 1939, to Shine and Oceal Ray. After graduating from Linville High School, Vernon married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Pilgreen, in 1960. Together they worked hard to make a beautiful home place and raise two loving daughters. Vernon loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed exploring with them and teaching them about nature.

Vernon grew up in Union Parish and never wanted to live anywhere else. As a child, he was happiest spending time with his father, who taught him a love for gardening, and roaming the woods and the river bottom. A man of many talents, he worked as a tractor mechanic in Monroe, owned Ray’s Garage in Marion, and retired from Devon Oil in Haile. After retirement he worked for the Linville-Haile water system and continued to repair tractors at his shop.

As a young man, Vernon enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends. Vernon never stopped learning. He was fascinated with nature, archeology, the environment and intrigued by science and technology. Vernon grew huge gardens, loved to experiment with different vegetable seeds, always producing enough to share with friends.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Marguirite (Sissy) Ray, Sidney Ray and his wife Bessie, Gregor Ray, and Jeff Ray.
Survivors include his faithful wife of 64 years, Betty; daughters, Cindy Ray (Andy) of Linville and Connie Ray-Hall (Danny) of Alexandria, VA; granddaughter, Erin Sutton of Linville; grandson, Ethan Hall (Summer) of Estacada, OR; great-grandson, Jace Worley of West Monroe; sisters, Sue Sutton (Johnny) of West Monroe and Sharon McGraw (Charles) of Linville; brother, Chris Ray of Collingston; sister in Law: Janet McMillon of Spencer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, along with his protective companion, Radar.

The family would especially like to thank our dear friends, Wayne and Rhonda Reppond, for all their love and support over the years.

Donations in Vernon’s memory can be made to the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Vernon Dale Ray, please visit our Tribute Store.