George Ray Kinney

George Ray Kinney went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, September 17, 2021. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 W Lake Road, Abilene, Texas 79601. Ray was born to O.A. and Flora Kinney in Stamford, Texas on June 15, 1934. Ray grew up in Stamford and graduated from Stamford High School in 1952. He attended Texas Tech University before transferring to Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. He graduated with a Degree in Business in May of 1956. Ray was also a founding member of the Sigma Alfa Epsilon Chapter at TCU. Ray entered Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and received his commission in 1957. He then attended Officer’s Supply School in Athens, Georgia. Ray was stationed in San Diego, California while working as a dispersing officer off the ship USS Jason. The ship was sent to Japan for seven months before returning to San Diego. He was transferred to Corpus Christi Naval Station in January 1959. Ray married his TCU sweetheart, Ann, in June of 1959 and they lived in Corpus Christi until his tour of duty with the Navy was completed. Ray and Ann moved to Ray’s hometown, Stamford, where he worked with his dad at Kinney Furniture Store. The business opened in 1932 and Ray closed it in December, 2010. Ray and Ann were the proud parents of two children, Susan and Andy. They loved them dearly and enjoyed being a part of all their activities. Ray was a baseball coach, Cub Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and taught many of their friends to water ski. Ray and Ann became members of St. John’s United Methodist in 1960. Ray enjoyed serving on many committees and was happy to do whatever was needed. He was President of the Stamford Rotary Club, and the Stamford Country Club. He also served on the City Council, Director of the Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Stamford Art Foundation and a Director of the Texas Cowboy Reunion for 41 years. The Stamford Art Foundation was dedicated to Ray and Ann in 2005 and they were honored to be the Parade Marshals for the 85th Texas Cowboy Reunion in 2015. Ray was a quiet, loving husband and father who loved his family and friends dearly. His dry sense of humor was funny to all who knew him. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and beloved son, Andy. Surviving Ray are Ann, his wife of 62 years; daughter, Susan Cowan and husband Buck; grandchildren, Bobby Cowan, Katie Burkhead and husband Matt all of Dallas, Kaylee Kinney and daughter-in-law, Kimla Kinney of Knox City; brother-in-law, Dr. Tommy Rapp and wife Barbara of Ft. Worth; many nephews and nieces; and special friend, Dennis Rodriguez. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Lundgren, Joe McMeans, Danny Duggan, Ferdie Walker, Dennis Rodriguez, Dub Harrison, and Chico Underwood. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 201 S Ferguson St, Stamford, TX 79553 or the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 1100 N. Sixth St., Abilene, Texas 79601.