of Proctor, AR
August 20, 1951 - March 7, 2025
Ray Mills Abel, 73, of Proctor, AR passed away March 7th, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett, TN following a stroke and heart attack.
Ray was preceded by his father, J.R. Abel of Lexington, MS.
Ray is survived by his wife, Cheryl; 2 daughters, Renee (Manny) Salinas and Stephanie Hart of Texas; 1 son, Ray Abel Jr. (Bubba) of TX; 1 stepson, Jake Houchen of Proctor; many grandchildren and great grandchildren and step sister, Lisa Dawn of TX.
Ray served 20 years in the Army, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. He completed duties in Texas and Germany before retiring at Ft Devens, MA.
Ray was extremely proud of his last duty assignment. He ran the processing center at Ft Devens, processing units in to and out of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. It was during the in-processing of a unit to Desert Shield that he met his future wife of over 27 years, Cheryl.
After his Army retirement, Ray went into the Army surplus business in MA, then relocating the business south following Cheryl's military career. He opened Camouflage Connection in West Memphis, AR in 1995 then moving to Sunset, AR in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the building in West Memphis. He conducted business in Sunset as Patriot Military Surplus until 2019 when the store was closed for the COVID Pandemic. He had high hopes of reopening his store but health problems kept the doors shuttered.
Ray will be remembered for his love of Country and support of Veterans and Veterans organizations. He was loud, boisterous and larger than life. People met Ray once and never forgot him. Many friends fondly teased him by calling him '' Crazy Ray'' which he tried to live up to. He loved his family, his favorite rottweiler Sabrina, Harley Motorcycles and Dodge trucks. He will be greatly missed.
There will be a come and go visitation and celebration of Rays life on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 3PM to 5PM at Roller Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, AR. Later in the summer, his ashes will be scattered on family land in Mississippi where he grew up.
The family requests no flowers be sent to the visitation and invite all family and friends to drop by to remember Ray, his life and his legacy.
Your fight is over Ray, Rest In peace.
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12 Condolence(s)
Ted Wray
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Ray you will be missed and never forgotten!
Thank You for Your Service!
Rest In Peace!
ALLEN & SHERRY FINCHER
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
LOUD is how Ray will be remembered...always had a story to tell... Prayers to Cheryl & family.
James and Teresa
Monday, March 17, 2025
James and I are so sorry for your loss. We can still hear that loud and unruly moving voice. He always had plenty of stories about everything for anyone. RIP Ray
We miss you Cheryl and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Russell Schuh
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
My Deepest Condolences and Heartfelt Prayers go to to the Family. Rest in Peace Ray !
Renee (Abel) Salinas
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Words cannot express how much I am going to miss you! I just know in my Heart you are with your Daddy. If any knows my father, you better believe that Heaven just got the life of the party!
I can still hear your laughter, and I LOVE YOU ALWAYS. XOXO
Walt Grimes
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
God bless
Celia Huntley
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Uncle Ray was a Larger than life Mountain Man!! He would Do or Give Anything he had for someone he knew!! His "Ray" of sunshine is Brightening the Beauty of the Heavens now!!! He's at Peace, and with no more pain!!! WE LOVE AND WILL MISS YOU UNCLE RAY!!!!
Lisa Dawn Epps
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
You were my first brother I knew. You wasn’t ready for me but I made sure you were lol! I loved you very much. Many years I missed with you I regret so much!
Terry Lynn Wirth
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
I love to old man and loved working with him in the store on 7th street i just had to move on to big and better things rest in peace Crazy Ray
Fred Liggett I I I
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
I meet his crazy self in Ausgburg Germany where we were stationed. Ray was a Country music DJ at the NCO club on weekends in 1984 and we have been ride or dye friends ever sent. I'm going to miss my old friend. They make them Ray anymore just a good ole boy! Sending my condolences to Cheryl and the Family I Love You All.
Walt Grimes
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
God bless
Carol Baldwin
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
I will miss u, my friend. U were so much fun to be around, u always made me laugh. Thanks for teaching me how to use the AK-47, i owe one now. I will never forget U.