Ray James Surratt
February 14, 1943 ~ January 23, 2020
Ray James Surratt was born in Linden, Texas in 1943, the son of Weaver and Lois Surratt. Weaver Surratt passed away when Ray was just 10 years old. Because of tough times, Ray lived with several families and sometimes on his own while growing up. Ray graduated from Linden-Kildare High School where he played sports and was a very good student. He was most proud of becoming an Eagle Scout. Ray had a great personality was very popular with his classmates and friends.
But, most of all Ray loved playing baseball and he continued his baseball career at Panola Jr. College. His love for baseball continued after college through coaching youth baseball. Ray James coached hundreds of young boys, helping them grow their love FOR the game. Many of the players that Ray coached earn scholarships to play at the college level. Ray loved baseball so much that he named his three sons after famous Major League Baseball Players, Stan after Stan Musial, Stacy after Mickey Mantle and Scott after Roger Maris. Ray’s three sons would argue often which namesake was the best major league player.
In his later years Ray loved to watch his sons, Stan and Scott, coach High School sports. In the last thirteen years Ray James has been a regular on the sidelines of the Carthage Bulldogs Football games. Ray’s favorite past time as he got older was watching football games with Stacy, Dillon and Deven on Saturday and Sundays.
Also, Ray loved helping others. Anyone that needed help, Ray James was quick to offer help and pitch in. Ray was known as a kind, loving father, and friend to everyone. Ray was most proud of his three sons and their success and would brag about it often to others. Ray was blessed with a great family, wonderful friends and rich life.
He is survived by three sons, Stan and Julie Surratt of Lindale, TX, Stacy and Sherry Surratt of Redwater, TX, Scott and Summer Surratt of Carthage, TX; grandchildren, Ryan and Mandy Surratt, Katie Surratt, Lyndi and Ken Lockhart, Dillon and Taylor Surratt, Deven and Ashlyn Surratt, Addison Surratt, Jett Surratt and eight great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Weaver Surratt and Lois Wallace, and two brothers, Newman and Jeff Surratt.
Services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2020 at Pinecrest Baptist Church with Ryan Surratt officiating. Burial to follow in the Center Grove Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.
There will be a time of visitation from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday evening at the funeral home.
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Ray was a great man and loved Linden Texas, he was a loving supporter of LK sports and will be missed by many ! ?? RIP my friend
Coach, Summer and family,
We have you in our thoughts and prayers. Going to miss seeing Mr. Ray on the sidelines at the football games. Cherish his sweet memories.
With love,
The Jerry Don Dorman Family,
Jerry, Pat, Jeremy, Lance and girls
Isaiah 40:31
Wow! I’m so sorry boys. Uncle Ray meant a lot to me. We all had some memorable times. My mom and dad also send their condolences. 🙏🏼
Prayers to the family.
Dear Scott, Summer, Addi, & Jett and Family, You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time in the loss of your dad. He will be missed. Always, Patty Dawson & Family
Coach, you are in my prayers.
Stan, Julie, Ryan & Katie, our prayers are with you and the Surratt family. I pray the Holy Spirit will bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Jim & Kim Pettiet
Fruitvale, Tx
We loved him. He was a good person and will be missed on the field.
Kelvin and Temikia Ivory
We loved him was a good Person will be missed on the Field
My Dad, Curtis Surratt was first cousin to Ray James. I am about 6 years younger than Ray James but such a character; Oh that boy – such a good looking and sweet young guy – always! – Both my Mother and Dad always loved having him visit – we always had such a good time. – The last time I saw him was year before last and we talked about all his sons and grandkids -so proud of all of his family- I will say that I told him I had Heard that his son Scott was the best H. S. Football Coach in Texas. He looked at me for a minute and said "No, he's the 2nd Best – I was the Best". That was Ray James. He and my Dad were a lot alike. Somehow I missed meeting Stan – I also lived in Lindale for several years. Oh Well -we said we would get together but, Of Course, we never did – Our lives flash by so fast – we forget about some of those memories and people in and out of our lives – until it is too late to give them a call All I can Say now is Rest In Peace Ray James. My Mother, Pat, wanted to also tell your Mother, Jimmie, that she is also in our Prayers –
Love & Prayers to you all!
Sending prayers and love for your loss!
Ray and I were close friends at L-K High but had lost touch in the intervening 60 years. But this past Christmas, we had a splendid reunion, spending much of the day driving around our little town, reliving our boyhood lives from the 1950s. Though he had suffered terribly from "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," he indulged himself not a whit of self-pity. On the contrary, he was filled with deep courage and and faith. My God grant eternal rest to his soul.
So sorry for y'all's loss. Prayers for your family during this difficult time.
May the Peace that passes all understanding be with you all, Love Aunt Betty
To the family of Ray James Surratt: I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Ray James.
Fond memories for our time growing up in Linden and the early days in and around New Colony and Center Grove. Rest in Peace! Thoughts and prayers to all the Surratt family.
Judy (Reese) VandeVenter & Sue (Reese) Robinson
Prayers for your family during this difficult time of loss. Mr. Ray will be missed by many. Terry & Paula Elders
Our Deepest Sympathy to all!
Ray was a super guy. Real friend to me. Taught me how to teach kids to play ball the right way. Thanks Ray.
I am so sorry to read of your loss. You are in my prayers
Donnie
My prayers are with the family. Coach was a wonderful man and his presence in the community will be truly missed. His talks and updates on Football and all the sports teams was a great break when he came to the Friendship House of the Maud UMC. I know he was proud of his family. I myself will miss him.
Stan, Stacy and Scott – many great memories of your dad on the ball field. Very few people I've been around had the passion for the game that he did. Prayers for you and your families during this time. Dennis Jones
Our deepest condolences Coach. You have no idea how much I use to enjoy talking baseball & football with your dad. He was such a great guy. He was so proud of you, your family and what you’ve become. I wish you all the very best in this difficult time.
Jim Goldman & Family
I remember him being very kind to me when I was a child. Prayers for you all.
My sincere condolences, Lisa
I was so saddened and heart broken to learn of Ray’s passing. I am unable to attend the services due to a recent accident that has disabled me for several months. May God comfort you and give you the strength to sustain this great loss! He was a great friend of mine from first grade til now. I am so blessed to have had him as a forever friend. Kindness, courage, optimistic, loving, exemplary daddy all come to my mind when I think of Ray. Love you all!
Mr "Ray" Surratt, wow I was just relaying a story to a friend of mine last week about playing baseball in Linden Texas behind the hospital and Mr Surratt and Mr. Jones were my coaches. As a kid growing up loving baseball and being introduced to the game the right way, with the teams and memories that this game has given me is a blessing. Mr. Surratt gave his time to mentor young boys, and I too coach my church league basketball team and it gives me joy to see the kids learn and play the game the right way. Baseball is in the Coleman family blood thanks to great men like Mr. "Ray" Surratt.
For Stan, Scott, Stacy and your families be blessed and remember that he's always living through you the Surratt's Boys and Much Love from the Coleman Boy's Anthony, Alan and Lil Roy…
My deepest condolences to the Surratt family. I didn't know Mr. Surratt but I knew Stan and Scott from many years ago. My prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Surratt and may God comfort you.