Ray's Eulogy
Written by Brandie Malugin
Read by Bill Mcdonald at Daddy's funeral
Daddy loved to see others happy, and would do any silly thing he could to make someone laugh. He was a very charismatic man. He was also a very giving man. Anything to help someone out or give them opportunities they would never have otherwise, he would make happen.
He loved to have fish frys and cook outs down at the camp on Duck River. He would spend days and nights saining minners, trotline fishing, basket fishing, and frog gigging with his friends so he could feed everyone who came. When night fell we would all gather round the campfire tell stories, laugh about all the mishaps everyone had, and anyone who could would pick and sing songs. Daddy's go to song was always "Waymore Blues" by Waylon. Then we would load up in the back of trucks and ride down to Little Piney were Mun Bates lived. Daddy was sure to scare the dickens out of everyone before the night was threw.
He especially loved his mother. When she was pregnant with Uncle Donnie, and Daddy was 5, he walked all the way from the mouth of Lowe Branch to Coble. The creeks were up real bad and everyone was worried about him. When they finally found him Daddy told Mame that he thought she had gone to Coble and he needed to be with her in case she needed him.
He was a positive influence in a lot of peoples lives. He had big dreams, and larger than life visions. And, he was not afraid to make those dreams and vision come to life.
He started out being a machinist when he was 18. He told me a few times that when he started out at Nashville Machine he wore 6 sets of wheels off of his tool cart going from machine to machine to learn as much as he could, so that one day he would own his own machine shop. And, of course being Daddy he did just that. He started out in the basement in Kingston Springs, and then built Floied Machine Inc. in Burns.
Aunt Sissy and Uncle Donnie said when they were growing up in Chicago Daddy looked after them when they came home from school. Aunt Sissy said her parents taught them to be good but Ray enforced it.
Some of my fondest memories with Daddy was when me and him would just hop in the truck and "make the loop" he called it around Lowes Bend, and talk about life, share memories, tell jokes, and talk about all the big plans he had for our future, and all what he wanted to do on the farm. When we had run out of things to talk about he would just sing "House at Pooh Corner" for me. Those were special times he made just for me.
When it came to working metal not many others could hold a candle to Daddy's talent. You could give him and idea, or a concept, and he would make it happen, and usually he would make the idea into something better. He took pride in his work and he always said, "If all you ever are is a floor sweeper, you be the best floor sweeper there ever was." He had no use for laziness.
He accomplished a lot of great things in his life, he had a lot of adventures, brought joy to many, and opened his heart and home to all. I can definitely say my Daddy really lived.
Now he can finally rest, because if he were here we would say, "I am as tired as if I have ironed all day."
We buried Daddy on February 11, 2012 in Chessor Cemetery next to Papal, Aubrey Willis. Bill MacDonald officiated the funeral service and said many wonderful things about Daddy. Together with my sister Kisha, we made all the arrangements for Daddy's funeral. We chose orange and yellow roses, carnations, and lilies for the flowers. These were Daddys favorite colors. We played Daddy's favorite song "Waymore Blues" to open the service. Brothers, written and performed by his friends Michael Huffman and Alan Laney, and One More Day by Diamond Rio was played during the service. We said our last goodbyes to "Go rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. The service was a true celebration of Daddy's life.
Daddy mentioned several times, that when it was his time to go he wanted to be buried, "A full 6 foot". This started out to be a joke, but the more Daddy told it, the better he liked the idea. We were not able to get a full 6 foot, but we got 5' 10". Ryan McDonald, the funeral director, said that was the deepest grave he had ever seen.
On the way out to the cemetery right before we reached it, five bucks ran in front of the hearse, chasing does. One of them was a pretty large buck. At the graveside service Mr. Bill said that he believes this was a very sure sign that Daddy made it home and we did all right laying him to rest. It was amazing how, in that most difficult time all, of Daddy's arrangements fell into place. I believe Daddy guided us in the right direction the whole time and in the end sent us a sign that he was proud of his girls.
Now we have an angel in heaven to keep an eye on us, and I rest easy knowing my Daddy's soul is finally at peace.
Read by Bill Mcdonald at Daddy's funeral
Daddy loved to see others happy, and would do any silly thing he could to make someone laugh. He was a very charismatic man. He was also a very giving man. Anything to help someone out or give them opportunities they would never have otherwise, he would make happen.
He loved to have fish frys and cook outs down at the camp on Duck River. He would spend days and nights saining minners, trotline fishing, basket fishing, and frog gigging with his friends so he could feed everyone who came. When night fell we would all gather round the campfire tell stories, laugh about all the mishaps everyone had, and anyone who could would pick and sing songs. Daddy's go to song was always "Waymore Blues" by Waylon. Then we would load up in the back of trucks and ride down to Little Piney were Mun Bates lived. Daddy was sure to scare the dickens out of everyone before the night was threw.
He especially loved his mother. When she was pregnant with Uncle Donnie, and Daddy was 5, he walked all the way from the mouth of Lowe Branch to Coble. The creeks were up real bad and everyone was worried about him. When they finally found him Daddy told Mame that he thought she had gone to Coble and he needed to be with her in case she needed him.
He was a positive influence in a lot of peoples lives. He had big dreams, and larger than life visions. And, he was not afraid to make those dreams and vision come to life.
He started out being a machinist when he was 18. He told me a few times that when he started out at Nashville Machine he wore 6 sets of wheels off of his tool cart going from machine to machine to learn as much as he could, so that one day he would own his own machine shop. And, of course being Daddy he did just that. He started out in the basement in Kingston Springs, and then built Floied Machine Inc. in Burns.
Aunt Sissy and Uncle Donnie said when they were growing up in Chicago Daddy looked after them when they came home from school. Aunt Sissy said her parents taught them to be good but Ray enforced it.
Some of my fondest memories with Daddy was when me and him would just hop in the truck and "make the loop" he called it around Lowes Bend, and talk about life, share memories, tell jokes, and talk about all the big plans he had for our future, and all what he wanted to do on the farm. When we had run out of things to talk about he would just sing "House at Pooh Corner" for me. Those were special times he made just for me.
When it came to working metal not many others could hold a candle to Daddy's talent. You could give him and idea, or a concept, and he would make it happen, and usually he would make the idea into something better. He took pride in his work and he always said, "If all you ever are is a floor sweeper, you be the best floor sweeper there ever was." He had no use for laziness.
He accomplished a lot of great things in his life, he had a lot of adventures, brought joy to many, and opened his heart and home to all. I can definitely say my Daddy really lived.
Now he can finally rest, because if he were here we would say, "I am as tired as if I have ironed all day."
We buried Daddy on February 11, 2012 in Chessor Cemetery next to Papal, Aubrey Willis. Bill MacDonald officiated the funeral service and said many wonderful things about Daddy. Together with my sister Kisha, we made all the arrangements for Daddy's funeral. We chose orange and yellow roses, carnations, and lilies for the flowers. These were Daddys favorite colors. We played Daddy's favorite song "Waymore Blues" to open the service. Brothers, written and performed by his friends Michael Huffman and Alan Laney, and One More Day by Diamond Rio was played during the service. We said our last goodbyes to "Go rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. The service was a true celebration of Daddy's life.
Daddy mentioned several times, that when it was his time to go he wanted to be buried, "A full 6 foot". This started out to be a joke, but the more Daddy told it, the better he liked the idea. We were not able to get a full 6 foot, but we got 5' 10". Ryan McDonald, the funeral director, said that was the deepest grave he had ever seen.
On the way out to the cemetery right before we reached it, five bucks ran in front of the hearse, chasing does. One of them was a pretty large buck. At the graveside service Mr. Bill said that he believes this was a very sure sign that Daddy made it home and we did all right laying him to rest. It was amazing how, in that most difficult time all, of Daddy's arrangements fell into place. I believe Daddy guided us in the right direction the whole time and in the end sent us a sign that he was proud of his girls.
Now we have an angel in heaven to keep an eye on us, and I rest easy knowing my Daddy's soul is finally at peace.