Ray Waldrop

Ray was born in Ennis, Texas on January 3, 1943 and was raised and educated in this small, rural community thirty miles south of Dallas. In 1963 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His four years of service included two tours aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet as an air crewman flying search missions over the Gulf of Tonkin. While stationed in Hawaii he met members of the Baha'i Faith and soon embraced this World Religion founded upon the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. This was the beginning of his spiritual rebirth. From this time forward the teachings of Baha'u'llah were the dominating passion of his life. Ray was deeply impressed by the multi-hued, multi-cultured community of Baha'is. The Baha'i Faith teaches that there is one race, the human race, that mankind is one family, that unity and diversity complement one another. These principles profoundly influenced his life. Upon completing his service in the Navy he returned to Ennis and later attended UT Austin. He actively served and taught the Baha'i message wherever he resided. In 1974 Ray and his wife of one year, Heather, moved to Manizales, Columbia, SA to serve the Baha'is in that area. They supported themselves by teaching English in a Bi-National Cultural Center. Upon returning to the United States, he graduated from UT Austin with a BA in English. From 1979 through 1985 he and his brother Rex worked as cabinet builders and trim carpenters from their cabinet shop in Ennis, Texas. In 1986 Ray and his wife lived in Muna, Yucatan, Mexico working once again with the Baha'is, assisting in the development of the Baha'i community. While in the Yucatan they met Robert and Elvia Ramirez, Baha'is who were born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and who were living in Harlingen. Later, while visiting the Ramirez family in Harlingen, Ray decided to enroll in the Alternative Education Program in UT Brownsville and within a few months was teaching English in Rio Hondo where he taught for three years. He then joined the Vocational Staff in the Harlingen High Schools and later transferred to Keys Academy. In 1997 he embarked on a lengthy adventure with cancer. As his body waned in strength, his soul grew in radiance and contentment. He used the time to delve into Baha'i Scripture, particularly those aspects dealing with the life of the soul in this world and the next. His love of God and trust in His ways also grew. Ray was happiest when teaching and serving others and was particularly attracted to helping teenagers and young adults. He touched the hearts of so many souls. In his presence they felt love and respect. He will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eleanora and Raymond Waldrop. He is survived by his wife, Heather, who resides in Harlingen; two brothers, Rex Waldrop of Houston, Texas and Ricky Waldrop of Ennis, Texas and three nephews, Colin Waldrop of Longview, Texas and Eric and Justin Waldrop of Ennis. Funeral services will be held today, Friday, April 26, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. at Rudy Garza Chapel of Peace Harlingen. Mr. Waldrop will be interred on Friday, April 26, 2002 at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito. Friends are welcome to come and celebrate Ray's life. Memorial donations may be sent to: The Sandi Jo Funk Hospice Program, Valley Baptist Medical Center, PO. Drawer 2588, Harlingen, Texas 78551. Members of the Baha'i Faith may contribute to the Endowment Fund for the Arc via the: National Baha'i Fund, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-2800: Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rudy Garza Funeral' Home in Harlingen, Texas.

Ray Waldrop

January 3, 1943 - April 25, 2002

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