Thomas Milton Ray Jr. was born on July 15, 1932 in Walnut Springs, Arkansas to parents Thomas Milton Ray Sr. and Ina Rankin Ray. Milton was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 67 years Nora Elizabeth (Noni) Ray. Sisters Bobbie Jim Morris, Eva Tom Verducci, and Joaquin Long. Milton is survived by his older sister Vivian Long who is 102 years old. His two sons Thomas Milton (Trip) Ray III and his wife Paula, and Dirk Anthony Ray Sr. His four grandchildren Chelsea Duckett, Courtney Stephens, Devyn Ray, and Dirk Anthony Ray Jr. His great grandchildren Audrey Stephens, Emma Duckett, Austin Stephens, Madison Duckett and Dylan Stephens. And numerous extended family.

Milton was raised on a farm in Walnut Springs, Arkansas with his four older sisters. It was during the Great Depression and WWII so times were hard. They all worked the fields with their mom and dad but they allowed young Milton to go to the house to listen to his favorite entertainers like Ernest Tubb on the radio. Even though life was difficult, they all enjoyed a wonderful life and loved each other immensely. Milton's older sisters were school teachers, so he certainly got plenty of "guidance" as a youngster.

Milton graduated from Horatio High School in 1950 and was given an athletic scholarship to to play baseball and football at Henderson State Teachers College. He had a career ending knee injury playing football and had to drop out of college. Milton enlisted into the Air Force but was granted a medical discharge from boot camp due to his knee injury.

Milton then moved to Houston to start his adult life and career. He first worked as a sales consultant at Landsdowne Moody Tractor Company. It was said that when Milton demonstrated a tractor or piece of equipment it almost always resulted in the customer wanting to buy it. While working there, Milton met a man named Gus George who was an assistant chief with the Houston Police Department (HPD), and it was Gus who encouraged Milton to join the police force. Milton was accepted and graduated from the HPD Academy in 1953. His first assignment was radio patrol, and his first partner was Eddie Hodges who happened to be the uncle of Noni Bartlett.

Milton and Noni were married in September 1954 and started their family. In the summer of 1964, Milt moved the family out to Magnolia, Texas. He wanted to raise the family out in the country and away from the big city. The family lived on the J-D ranch an Appaloosa horse and Charolais cattle ranch as caretakers. Milton was a country boy and loved working on the ranch on the tractor and working the cattle. Milton and Noni made many lifelong friends while they lived in Magnolia.

Milton was an avid hunter and had a real passion for the outdoors. He went on annual hunts to New Mexico for mule deer and dove hunting in the Rio Grande Valley. And of course white tail deer in the Yon pasture in Lake Creek bottom. One of his favorite hunts each year was to hunt blue quail in Blackgap in the big bend country with his sons and fellow officers with the Ft. Bend Sheriff's Department.

Milton retired from the HPD in 1979 and went to work for the CEO, Jack Warren, of Goldrus Drilling Company whom he had become friends with while working on the ranch. Jack asked Milton to build and run a hunting camp in South Texas to entertain clients. Milton built the Llanitas hunting camp just outside of Falfurrias, Texas and managed that hunting camp for 5 years creating a world class hunting operation.

About that time, Milton's close friend, Gus George, asked him to campaign for him for Sheriff in Ft. Bend County. Milton knocked on doors, campaigned and helped Gus win the election. He then served as a lieutenant on the Ft. Bend County Sheriff's Department for 10 years, and then retired for good.

Milton had a servant's heart. He served on the board of directors of the Houston Police Federal Credit Union for 30 years and was very proud of the steady growth of the credit union. One of his biggest joys was serving on the building committee overseeing the expansion of their office facility on Memorial drive.

Milton also served his community in Magnolia through his work with the Lions Club where he served for many years, including a term as president. He was very proud of one of their projects which was the creation of the Magnolia Youth Park.

Milton was a man of deep faith. He loved the Lord and was a committed Christian his entire life. He was always involved in their Methodist church serving as Lay Leader and chairman of building committees. He chaired several building committees at First Methodist in Magnolia and St. Stephens United Methodist in Houston. Milton actively participated in the Lay Witness Mission and the Walk to Emmaus movements.

Milton and Noni shared a very special love affair for 67 years until Noni's passing in 2022. In their later years, Milton was devoted to Noni as she had health issues that required her to be assisted in most aspects of their daily life. Milton assisted her with great care and love. Milton loved his family. His sons which he was so very proud of and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were his pride and joy.

Milton will most certainly be missed by his family and friends, but he is now back together with his sweetheart, Noni.

There will be a celebration of life for Milton on Thursday May 18 at 2pm at St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd St, Houston, 77018. Reception following at the church.