Ray Sessums

AZLE -- Ray Sessums passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at The Dallas VA Community Living Center where he had resided for the last two years. Service: 10 a.m. Friday at Lake Worth Baptist Church, 4445 Hodgkins Road, Lake Worth. Interment: Azleland Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at White's Azle Funeral Home, 105 Denver Trail, Azle. Ray was born Nov. 2, 1926, in Lovelady to Beulah Ivy and Grover C. Sessums. The family moved to Whitney in a covered wagon in 1936 and a few years later settled in Fort Worth. Ray enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November 1943 and proudly served until July 1945. He was a private first class in Co. C, 1st Batallion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was involved in combat at Pelelieu, Palau Islands, Okinawa, Shima and Ryueyu Islands. Ray was wounded in action at Pelelieu and Rykyu Islands. He was issued an honorable discharge and two Purple Hearts for his heroic service. After his military service, he enjoyed serving the community of Sansom Park. Ray served on the city council and was one of the first police officers and volunteer firemen. He also served the city of Westover Hills as a police officer before he completed an apprenticeship in the trade of Bricklayer and Allied Craftworkers Local #6 in 1953. He served as president of that local for several years and was also a 33rd-degree Scottish Rite Mason. After retirement he became co-owner, with his son, of Crooked Creek Limousin. He also enjoyed round dancing and loved teaching others how to round dance. Ray has been a member of Lake Worth Baptist Church for over 40 years. Ray was "Poppie" or "Pop' to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they each one held a very special place in his heart. He loved life and loved to laugh. But most important he loved Jesus and we are going to all miss him terribly but we are comforted to know that he loved Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah Ivy and Grover Sessums; son, Dennis Ray Sessums; and siblings, Josie Nell Anderson, Louise Keppler, Troy Sessums, Aubrey L. "Red" Sessums, Doug "D.I." Sessums and John "Short" Sessums. Survivors: Daughter, Derese Cecil of Scurry; sisters, Lorene Johnson of Keller and May Gomer of Herriman, Utah; grandchildren, Chad Sessums, Ryan Sessums, Kara Sessums, Bryn Sessums, Kristi Holt and Jeremy Cecil; great-grandchildren, Rylee, Jack, Aubrey, Lane, Scarlett, Megan, Mackenzie, Micah, Hannah, Isaiah and Bellah.White's Funeral HomeAzle, 817-444-3211