Athens - Wray Morris, longtime Athenian and Lake Athens resident passed gently, to the comfort of his Lord at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, Tyler, Texas on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Friday June 27, 2025 at St. Edward Catholic Church (historic location), 800 E. Tyler St, Athens, TX 75751 with Father Nolan Lowry officiating. A private burial with full military honors will be held at the DFW National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Wray was born August 1, 1948 in Dallas, Texas, the son of Beatrice McKay and O.W. Morris. He was raised in Irving, Texas by his mother and loving step-father Henry James "Jim" McKay. Wray is preceded in death by many other loved family members written on our hearts.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Carletta Deany Morris; daughter Jennifer Morris Davis and son-in-law Christopher Davis of Austin; grandchildren Braden Wray Davis and Lily Dee Davis, both of Austin; sister Patti Fisher and brother-in-law Pete Fisher, Double Oak; lifelong friend, Dike Hadsell, Alvarado; daughter Tammie Ka Parker and her children Britt, Maddison, Sarah, Telephone; brother-in-law Thomas Paul Deany, Tyler; sister-in-law Valerie Deany, Tyler; nephews Lance Lozano, Thomas Michael Deany and Eric Mehrten; nieces Elizabeth Deany Nordquist, Morgan Claire Deany; and, many much loved grandnieces and grandnephews.

Wray was an active boy who had fishing in his DNA. At the age of three, he began fishing for crawdads in ditches with his grandfather. Later as a young teen he was always gone fishing with his lifetime, like a brother, best friend, Dike Hadsell.

Carletta always said that fishing was Wray's other passion.

Wray was always quick to say "have rod, will travel" and he did. Marlin and sailfish tournaments in Venezuela, Costa Rica and Mexico. He fished from the West Coast to Gold Coast, Texas coast and most lakes in Texas. The species of fish did not matter-he just wanted to try to catch fish!

He was an avid outdoorsman and in the past served on the Henderson Wildlife Committee.

Give a nod to Wray if you have ever caught a crappie on Lake Athens; as he passionately preserved and created fish habitat with discarded Christmas trees for the last 40 years.

The joy of crappie fishing on Lake Athens; cooking gourmet meals for Carletta; and spending time traveling to watch grandkids play football, baseball and volleyball were his joys.

Wray was a rock of integrity and hard work for his family and friends. His passion for being on the water and love of the outdoors will be carried forward through the generations of his family.

Wray chose a life of service. He served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in Berlin, Germany. He became a City of Athens firefighter in 1980 to serve his community and begin a beautiful life in a town he loved. Wray retired from the City of Athens Fire Department in 1995. As a master carpenter and general contractor he enjoyed creating and building with his hands. His career spanned construction of commercial office buildings to being one of the original boat house builders on Lake Athens.

Longtime members of St. Edward Catholic Church in Athens, Texas, Wray loved God and the scripture he cherished most was fittingly Matthew 4:19- "And Jesus said to them, 'follow me and I will make you fishers of men.'"

Wray was a dedicated, active and faithful 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Catholic fraternal organization for over 20 years and held many officer positions throughout the years for the St. Edward Council #10524. He volunteered thousands of hours each year to their many charitable and civic endeavors. He was the head Pitmaster for the Annual Chicken Dinner Fundraiser, head fisherman and cook for the Lenten Fish Fry, and ceremonial flag burner at the annual American Flag Retirement ceremony. He especially enjoyed volunteering weekly at the Henderson County Food Pantry and Athens Soup Kitchen.

He loved and was grateful for the brotherhood and his 4th Degree Assembly that formed a strong band of brothers for him in his retirement years.

Pallbearers will be family members Christopher Davis, Braden Wray Davis, Lance Lozano, Eric Mehrten, Thomas Michael Deany, Marc Nordquist, and friends Tom Calderon and Gene Lattis.

Honorary Pallbearers are family members Thomas Paul Deany, Pete Fisher, Dike Hadsell, and brother Knights Dr. David Barrett, Larry Pfeifer, Mel Hebert, Juan Martinez, and all of the brothers in Knights of Columbus Council #10524.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family