Charles Ray Smith, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather died peacefully with family and friends at his side on June 15, 2021, at the age of 82. Charles Ray was born on March 18, 1939, to Thomas Ray and Victoria Smith in Austin, Texas. He spent his entire life living in Henly and San Marcos.
Soon after graduation from San Marcos High School in 1957, Charles Ray began his lifelong career in highway construction at the age of 18. At the age of 22, Charles Ray married June Gunn and began their 60 years of marriage together that included children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Charles Ray was also honored to serve in the Army National Guard as a young man.
Checking on road construction projects, cows, horses, attending big family gatherings, and sharing stories about life in general was a big part of his daily activities. On any given day of the week, you could find him in places such as Pac-N-Sac in Martindale, City Market in Luling, Bon Ton in LaGrange, and many other locations across the area having breakfast or lunch with his friends around a big table sharing stories or talking about their day. Along with his highway construction career, which was mostly with Dean Word Company where he became general superintendent, he also had a sideline business of cattle ranching, feeder calves, and feeder hogs.
