MICHAEL (Big Ol' Mike) DWAIN RAY

December 10, 1958 - April 5, 2025

In Ennis, TX on December 10, 1958 Michael Dwain Ray made his grand entrance into this world. Mike went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of April 5, 2025. To know Mike was to love him. Mike was a proud alumni of Waxahachie High School Class of 1977. Following graduation of WHS, Mike chose to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps.  On May 12, 1979 Mike married the love of his life, Tammy, whom he shared his life with for almost 46 years. They shared three children together that were their whole world. Mike became an extremely proud grandfather in February 2006, with two more grandchildren to follow in the coming years. Mike was many things to many people throughout his life. A christian, husband, father, friend, musician, and the list goes on. Mike never met a stranger. He was a friend to all. If you called he showed up. He was known as Big Ol' Mike to many, but to his family he was so much more. He loved spending time with his family. Mike never met a guitar he didn't fall in love with. He could spend hours in Guitar Center with his son and grandson. He was a proud member of Crossroads Baptist Church, where he played and sang for the Lord on a regular basis. The family Mike created was absolutely everything to him. One of his favorite memories was getting the chance to coach his children through their youth years. Mike's love for music flows through his son and grandson. He took great pride in teaching his son Brad how to play the guitar, and watching Brad teach his own son. One of his favorite things was being given the chance to play in a band side by side with both his son Brad and son in law Eric. There was nothing he loved more in this world than getting to watch his son Brad and daughter Jamie on the sidelines at Lumpkins Stadium. Until he got the opportunity to watch his grandson Caleb and granddaughter Pressley under those Lumpkins Lights, it was a whole other level of pride. Mike also enjoyed watching all the creativity flow through his granddaughter Emma as an artist.  When Mike became a father in law, he instantly became a father to both his son in law and daughter in law. He loved them both as if they were his own children.  One of Mike's all-time favorites was his daughter in law, Christinia's cooking and his daughter, Jamie's baking. Mike endured many obstacles in his life. But losing his first born son, Sean Michael Ray in 1991, was the greatest loss he ever had to face. That loss changed his life forever, however, it didn't stop him from loving his family and giving everything he had in him to them. They were always his first priority. Mike lived a full life with love and grace. He will be greatly and deeply missed. Our lives will forever be changed until we are reunited with him again. Mike leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that lives on through his children, grandchildren, and many generations to come. The family requests that when you look back on Mike's life and legacy, you think of his huge smile, contaigious laugh, oversized servants heart, all the love he had to give, and the greatest parts of him that live on inside his children and grandchildren. Remember him and keep his memory alive for several years to come. Mike is survived by his soulmate of 45 years, Tammy Beasley Ray of Waxahachie, TX. Along with his beloved children Brad (Bradley Dwain)  Ray and his wife Christinia of Waxahachie, TX, and his daughter Jamie Lynne West and her husband Eric of Italy, TX. He also leaves behind his bonus daughter, Misty Wells and her children of Waxahachie, TX.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Caleb Michael Ray, Emma Leigh Ray, and Pressley Kaye Ray all of Waxahachie, TX. Mike leaves behind many others that played a key role in his life.  Mike was unfortunately preceded in death by his first born son, Sean Michael Ray on September 19, 1991. Whom we know was standing at the pearly gates waiting to welcome his daddy home. The greatest reunion of all time.