Born in Garden City, Alabama, Ray was a lifelong member of the community he loved. He will be remembered as a devoted father, grandfather, veteran, neighbor, and friend, whose kindness, presence and sense of humor touched the lives of many.

Ray was a welder by trade and a cattle farmer by choice. He was known for his strong work ethic and his remarkable ability to “fix” anything that was broken. A collector of sorts, he could always be relied upon to have just what was needed—anything from sheet metal to a spare tractor trailer. Over a lifetime, he accumulated enough tools, tape measures and “treasures” to fill that trailer, though he was never one to worry much about tidiness, so actually finding them might be a different story. This was all part of his charm.

Ray built lasting relationships throughout his life and was admired for his caring nature and willingness to always lend a helping hand or words of wisdom when needed. Ray found joy in the simple moments spent with family and friends. He especially loved sitting outside under his porch, visiting with friends and “solving the world’s problems.” He could be found working on a tractor one minute, helping deliver a calf the next and rounding out the day laughing as he picked flowers with his admiring granddaughters and great-grandsons.

Ray loved a big breakfast with over easy eggs, watching his western shows, riding his gator to check on his cows, always wearing a hat, drinking milkshakes, eating a good cheeseburger, a cup of black coffee, talking about the weather, a loyal dog by his side, his prized gun collection, a full pack of tobacco in his pocket, a good pocket knife and tape measure, “looking for a deal” with his sidekick and cousin, Bob Kretzschmar, tearing apart things and rebuilding them (sometimes), knowing where his granddaughters were every second of the day, holding his prized great-grandsons and still offering much needed words of wisdom to his daughters and sons in law.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Connie Moore and husband Frankie Moore, and Shellie Lafon and husband Jeff Lafon; his granddaughters, Kendra White and husband Jake White, Bryson Holland, Presley Ambrose and husband Spencer Ambrose, and Harper Lafon; and his treasured great-grandsons, SJ Townson and Rudy Otto White.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Montel Kretzschmar; his loving sisters, Kathleen Kretzschmar, Geraldine Kretzschmar, and Betty Kretzschmar; his older brother, Allen Kretzschmar; his twin brother and lifelong best friend, Wayne Kretzschmar; and his beloved dog, Blue.

Visitation will be at Hanceville funeral home on Sunday, April 12 th from 6pm-8pm followed by the funeral service on Monday, April 13 th at 2:00pm. Ray will be laid to rest with a military burial following at Garden City Cemetery.

Ray will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him and most especially by the ones who were blessed to fondly called him “Daddy” and “Paw Paw Ray.”