Ray Sullivan Carson, 90, of Denton, Texas passed away on January 12, 2022. Visitation will be Sunday, January 16, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Meador Funeral Home Chapel, 1204 E. California Street, Gainesville, Texas. Graveside Service will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Valley View, Texas at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 17, 2022.
He was born in Valley View, Texas on November 30, 1931, to William Tommie Carson and Minnie Leona (Tidwell) Carson. Ray never married but has an extended family. He graduated Valley View High School in 1949. Ray then went to college at Texas A & M, NTU, and East Texas State. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and Master’s Degree in teaching and Vocational Agriculture. Ray was in the Army from 1954 – 1956 as a radio operator using Morse code. He was stationed in Texas, Verdun and France.
Ray started teaching Biology in 1959 at Garland High School and began his career as a Vocational Ag teacher in 1960 at the same school. While teaching Ag, Rays’ students showed animals at livestock shows in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston, as well as in their own local show in Garland and in other surrounding areas. They also showed in National Shows in other states. In addition to livestock showing, Ray trained judging teams in leadership, radio, parliamentary procedure, meat, and dairy. They participated in contests at all levels, winning a national contest on meat judging. Ray’s students learned many things that helped them in their careers-public speaking, record keeping, leadership skills, etc.
Ray received many awards and was honored many times throughout his career. He was President of VATAT (Vocational Ag Teachers Association of Texas) 1978 – 1979 and Named Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 1992. Many of his students became Ag teachers themselves. Ray also counseled students and helped them think things through at difficult times in their lives. He was also known as the “VATAT Ice Cream King”. Ray served as a Superintendent of livestock shows in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston for many years
Ray retired from teaching in 1990 and began a second career as farmer/rancher with his brother on the family farm. These years consisted of work, enjoying family, and traveling around the US via travel trailer-the longest trip being Alaska. He enjoyed tours with the Texas Ag Extension Service to many states to see different farming methods. He also enjoyed judging local shows around the state. Ray was known to his family and friends as quite a prankster, playing jokes on us all-but sometimes the table was turned on him.
Ray retired a second time in 2014 when he and his sister-in-law decided it was time to call it quits and all the cattle and equipment were sold.
Ray is survived by his brother, Dee Carson and wife, Laura; sister-in-law, Betty Carson; nephews, David Carson and wife, Cheryl, Alan Carson and wife, D’awn, Kevin Carson and wife, Melissa, Chris Carson and wife, Kathy; several great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, T.J. Carson, and Larry Carson.
Ray was a good man, that I’m honored to have known, and to have called him a friend. I’ve known him for most of my life.
My prayers and condolences to the family! God bless you all.
Will miss Ray love the Carson family praying that God will comfort them that only He can do with much love Linda and Larry Martindale family
Mr. Carson will be remember by the many young men and women he mentored at GHS. I was lucky enough to be FFA sweetheart as a student and then as a teacher work along side him. He was truly one of the good ones. Thank you for shaping the lives of so many.
Mr. Carson inspired many of his students to go to college and become Ag teachers too. But what impressed me the most and what I will always remember about him happened when I was a freshman: he drove from Garland to Denton for my grandfather’s funeral (a man that he had never met). Yet he was there out of respect for our family. He was a man larger than life and one of the best teachers I ever knew. I will miss him.
Thanks for all your service. Class 1965
Mr. Carson was a fantastic FFA teacher and taught me so much. He was able to help me get my first chain heifer. She was a beautiful Holstein heifer that won her division in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Cook County Gainesville, and Sulphur Springs Texas. I was so honored to be able to have her. Because of my love for Cattle… I run a 450 acre cattle ranch with 95 mama cows and their babies. It has been one of the true joys of my life. I contribute a lot of my love for Cattle and my success to him. Rest in peace Mr. Carson. ????????❤️✝️
Ray was a hard worker during all his life. We lived close in the Community of Lois, West of Valley View, went to school together so I knew him nearly all of my life. I never knew a more honest and compassionate person in all my 86 years. Our prayers are that God will grant all his loved ones his divine healing comfort. Our world lost one of the best, but Heaven gained one that will faithfully work for God there. We will miss him
In addition to being my teacher, Mr. Carson was my chauffeur, and “oh the places we went”. T J and Betty’s 2305 Scottswood was the return address for all of our show entries. My Dad said “figure out what you enjoy doing, then figure out a way to make a living doing it”. Mr. Carson showed me how to do it. Hall of famer? In my opinion, yes.
Charles”Brother” Thompson Class of 1968.Thanks for the memories and all you taught us.You were simply the GOAT.