Ray Dale Grounds

Ray Dale Grounds, 86, died Friday, January 9, 2015 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. Born in Mertens, Texas on July 23, 1928 to Raymond and Leoma Grounds, he grew up in Mertens and Novice, Texas in a large family of generation farmers. He graduated from Novice High School in 1945. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 2, 1950, and served in the Korean Conflict. He received the Army Occupation Medal ‘Japan’, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, and Combat Infantry Badge. He attended Ranger Junior College, receiving a degree in Associated Arts in 1956. He married Mary Ruth Collett in Lovington, New Mexico on December 1, 1953. In 1961 he moved from Ranger, Texas to Abilene where he was a resident for 54 years. He worked for Premier Oil Company for eight years. He retired from Halliburton Well Service in 1991 and from Wal-Mart in 1998. His commitment to his God and family were of the utmost importance. He was a Baptist and was ordained a deacon under the ministry of Dr. Elbert G. Peak at Faith Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. He was a man who truly loved the Lord, was a faithful reader of the Bible, and had a deep faith and trust in God. He wasn’t a great man. He was a good man, good to his family, good to his neighbor, a good friend, and an extra pair of hands in time of need. “You were a wonderful husband, father, provider and friend. We are so grateful for what you did for all of us and the Christian love and heritage you left for us.” He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Leoma Grounds; brother, Jimmy Joe Grounds; and sister, Margaret Ann Heath. Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Mary Ruth Grounds; one son, Donald Scott Grounds and wife Kathy; grandchildren, Sarah Rebekah Scott, Donald Scott Grounds, Jr., and Cynthia Ann Still; great-grandchildren, Camran and Carter Still and Baby Boy Scott due in April, 2015. Survivors also include one sister-in-law, Bonnie Reynolds VanDevender; one brother-in-law, Herbert Heath; nieces, Kathy Kerbow, Kristy Hampton, Leslie Grounds, Cindi Thomas and Angel Rigsby; nephews, Preston Steele and David Grounds; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 12, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Ricky Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Viewing will begin at 12 noon on Sunday. Serving as pallbearers will be Donald Scott Grounds, Sr., Donald Scott Grounds, Jr. Jacob Scott, Tony Kerbow, Travis Kerbow and Jim Kerbow. Honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Tyler Rigsby, Michael Ray Thomas, and Michael Scott Stewart.