James Ray Allen, 85, of Clute, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 3, 2016. He passed away at his home surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at First Baptist Church, Clute, Texas. Interment will be held at Restwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at Lakewood Funeral Chapel from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

James Ray was born in Minden, Texas, on September 18, 1930, to Austin and Daisy (Johnson) Allen. He graduated from Laneville High School and attended Stephen F. Austin University and studied drafting at the University of Houston.

James Ray served in the Korean War, stationed in Augsburg , Germany, from February, 1952 to February, 1954.

He married Yreva Sue Sims, the love of his life, in March, 1954, in Clute, Texas. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

James Ray was a trim carpenter for over 30 years, and left his mark building many beautiful cabinets in homes throughout southern Brazoria County. He primarily worked for homebuilders, Morrison & Sauer and B&M Woodworks.

He loved catfishing in the river, deer hunting and bird hunting, but his true passion was hunting bob white quail with his bird dogs and his main hunting buddies, Charles Azlin and Gaston Millstid. He spent lots of time outdoors tending to his garden and watching the birds. He also enjoyed watching sports on TV. He had an incredible memory and was an avid story teller.

James Ray truly enjoyed spending time with his Masonic brothers and faithfully attended lodge as long as he was able to make the meetings. He was a member of the Clute Masonic Lodge 1334 and later the Lake Jackson Masonic Lodge 1317. He was a proud Mason for 61 years.

Beyond all else, spending time with family and friends was what he enjoyed most.

James Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Teresa Foley; and his grandson, Thomas Bowman.

James Ray is survived by his wife, Sue Allen; his sons, Jerry and wife, Jerri Lynn (McKinney), Joe and wife, Tina (Lake Jackson), and John and wife, Sydney (Friendswood); his sisters, Kathryn Penney and husband, C.D. (Jasper), and Jessie Bennett and husband, George (Oak Hill); his grandchildren, Amy Nance and husband, Tommy, Justin Bowman, Stephanie Allen, Austin Allen, Ashley Allen and Zachary Allen; and his great-grandchildren, Hannah, Tommy and Noa Nance; nieces, nephews and many friends

Pallbearers will be Justin Bowman, Austin Allen, Zachary Allen, Mark Sydow, Danny Leist and Danny Kellum.

Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Luster and other M asonic lodge brothers.

Memorials may be made to The Food Basket, P. O. Box 1448, Clute, TX 77531 , Helping Hands & Hearts Hospice or to a charity of choice.

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