Waymon ""Ray"" Votaw, Sr. was born in Kenefick, Texas on June 3, 1938 and passed away at home after a lengthy illness on June 15, 2011. Ray was the eldest son of the late Thorpe Masterson Votaw and Hazel Ashworth Votaw.

Ray was a graduate of Dayton High School (1956) and Sam Houston State University (1960). He joined the Army as an Engineer officer through the ROTC program and attended the Army?Çÿs aviation school to become a fixed wing and helicopter pilot. He left the military as a Captain and returned to Dayton, Texas to teach and build homes for several years. In 1974, he and his family moved to Livingston, Texas to continue his love of construction, cabinetry and trim carpentry. He also flew fire patrol for the Texas Forest Service.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pamela. He leaves his wife of 49 years Dora, daughter Candace Campenni, her husband Thomas and their children Cary Logan and Caitlyn Rae Vailes of Dallas, Pennsylvania. Son, Waymon Jr., his wife Teresa Buff Votaw, and their children Anna Claire and Christian Votaw of Surgarland, Texas, brothers, Clyde ( and Loretta) Votaw and Gwinn Votaw, nephew, Mike (and Denise) Votaw, and cousin and friend George Votaw and wife Iva and many more relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the team of caregivers from Lighthouse Hospice for their care, support and compassion with a special debt of gratitude to Denise Nellsch and Dennis McClain. The family also thanks the Honor Guard of VFW Post 8568 and the pallbearers, Thom Bruning, Thomas Campenni, Doug Griffin, Edward Munson, Wesley Smith, and Cary Vailes.

Vistitation will be held from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM on Friday, June 17, 2011 at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas. Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Smith officiating. Interment will follow at French Cemetery in Dayton-Kenefick.

Cochran Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Please sign our online register at www.cochranfh.com