Joe Lee Bray

Joe was born April, 30 1935 in Ada, Oklahoma to Lee and Martha Bray. He graduated from Byng High School in 1953 and from East Central University (then East Central State Teacher's College) in 1959. On June, 16 1961 he married Betty Marie Steen. Joe was a school teacher and taught in Kinsey, Montana; Wamsutter, Wyoming; and Tularosa, New Mexico before moving to Texas and taking a job as a quality control specialist for Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. Together with his wife Betty, Joe started his own interior decorating business in 1972 in Richardson, Texas. He moved his family and business back to his home town of Ada in 1978 and then he and Betty moved to Plano Texas in 1989 after their children Tracye and Kevin had finished school. Joe enjoyed traveling, antiques, working in the yard, and he loved working with children. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Plano and loved working with the Shoes for Orphan Souls program at the Buckner Children's Home. Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2001 and lived at home with Betty until 2009 when he became a resident of the Collinwood Nursing home. His earthly battle with Alzheimer's ended on July 8, 2013 when he made his transition to his heavenly home. Joe will always be remembered for his creative and artistic mind, his gentle and serving spirit, his love for family and friends, and his devotion to God. He will be deeply missed.
Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife Betty Bray, son Kevin Bray, daughter Tracye Neill and her husband Steve, brother James Bray and his wife Geneva, nephew Jimmy Bray and his wife Karen, neice Marie Bray and many loving friends and family. He is preceded in death by his parents Lee and Martha Bray, sister Vera Ray Towler, brother Lindy Bray.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 19, 2013 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church Plano, 1300 E. 15th Street, Plano, Texas 75074. Donations may be made in Joe's memory to The Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?11461.donation=form1&df_id=11461&pw_id=1821&JServSessionIdr004=xr5scpb5a1.app208b