Ray McGlothlin

Ray McGlothlin, 95 years old, of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Visitation will be at 1:30 pm Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Hillcrest Church of Christ followed by a funeral at 2:30. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 6 at Elmwood Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Ray was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on September 1, 1927, the first child of Ray Sr. and Lillah Evelyn (Debbie) Trimble McGlothlin. He attended Abilene High School and then served in the Navy as World War II was winding down. He met Kay Dollar at Abilene Christian College, and they married in 1947. In 1949, he graduated from Abilene Christian with a degree in Biblical Greek and then moved to Austin, where he earned an M.A. degree in Biblical Greek at the University of Texas and taught at the Church of Christ Bible Chair. In 1956, he returned to Abilene to work with his father in oil related ventures and became a founder in a variety of firms including E-Z Serve, AutoGas Systems, and SoftSearch Investment.

Ray and Kay were founding members of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, where he led singing, served as an elder, and directed the Hillcrest Singers. Ray served as Chairman of Abilene Christian University's Board of Trustees for ten years.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; his brother, Hal; and grandson Bryce Daniel Oliver. Survivors include daughters Karyn Henley (and husband Ralph) of Nashville, TN; Nita Rampey (and Tim) of Victoria, TX; Danna Oliver (and Eric) of Abilene; and Caryl Parker (and Scott) of Nashville; brother Jack of Abilene; 10 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Special family friends include Elida Hernandez, Adolfo Ortiz, and Melinda Wilson, all of Abilene.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Christopher Rampey, Raygan Henley, Heath Henley, Kline Oliver, Cole Oliver, Ethan Oliver, and Noah Parker and granddaughters Bryn Danley, Bethany Hoelzle, and Jessie Early.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Ray and Kay McGlothlin Endowed Scholarship at Abilene Christian University (ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699, acu.edu/mcglothlin), Pregnancy Resources of Abilene, or follow Ray's example by leaving a big tip after your next meal.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to Big Country Hospice and to Ray's caregivers Angy, Margie, Vanessa, Yolanda, Llaquitta, and Wanda.