J. Ray Crook

Messages from friends

November 14, 2007 We were so sorry to hear about the death of a longtime Mauck family friend, Ray Crook today, of Mineral Wells, Texas. He was "Wild Man"'s dad, and we're so sad to think of how much Steve will miss his daddy. Kim Mauck (Durant, OK) I was so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. It really hurt me in my stomach. He was such a good friend. He and I had a lot of time to visit traveling together to Stephenville for the preachers' meetings. Though we've been gone from Miineral Wells for almost 2 1/2 years this makes me miss him much more. Our love and prayers are with you and all your family. Brad & Shirley Fry (Columbia, SC) I was just devastated to hear of Ray's death this afternoon. My thoughts have been on you all day and into the night. I can only imagine the grief you are experiencing. I am so sorry. I was thinking of something Ray said to me on the day he came to say good-bye to Lois for the last time. I walked Reta and Ray to the car, hugged them both and stepped back on the curb. Ray hesitated before getting in the car. Ray's voice cracked and he said "Tell Lois I said to say Hi to Mom and our little brother." I realized that today, Ray got to greet Lois and his parents and his little brother. What a wonderful homecoming for him. In the twinkling of an eye our dear Ray is gone, but he is held in the loving palm of our Lord. Standing closely with him are those that he loves. We love you all and you have our hearts while you are hurting. Gentle hugs, Shari Hoyt (Allen, TX) November 15, 2007 Ray was a precious man, an example of a true Christian and wonderful teacher of the gospel. He was an important part of our family, both as a friend and teacher. He will be truly missed. Jonathan and Judy Hutson (Santo, TX) Reta, Steve, Jay and Russell, Charessa and I want you to know that we love you all very much and our hearts and prayers are with you right now. Reta, Charessa and I were just talking the other day about one of the first times you and Ray came over when we were living in Mom and Dad's house. We had removed the mattress from the sofa sleeper and you both sat down on the couch and your knees were up above your waist and we were so ashamed and tickled, and you two sat there so politely and enjoyed a wonderful time together. We love you and we wished we could be there for you. Brad & Charessa Johnson (Gillette, WY) We loved him as a brother in Christ, great friend. Our prayers and thoughts are with you for months to come. Buck and Sandra Johnson (Quanah, TX) November 16, 2007 It is with deep sadness that we express our sympathy to Reta and the entire Crook family. It has been a blessing to us to have been a part of Ray's "extended family" and to know him and to love him. There are times when words are inadequate and this is one of those times. We can take comfort that he has fought the fight, finished the course and has awakened to the face of God. Heaven has just become sweeter... With love and sympathy, Sharon and Grady Troute (Franklin, OH) We both wish to express our sorrow of the loss of a wonderful Christian man. You feel so empty and lost, but it is reassuring to know that he is in the arms of the Lord. Our best to you all at this time, and our love to you, Jay, Becca, Sierra, Cheyenne and Gray. We love you, Bruce and Beckye Forbes (Corpus Christi, TX) Reta, All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you! Mark and Sherri Young (Marlow, OK) I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time. Jerri Lynn Jergins (Wichita Falls, TX) My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Edwin Young (Hutto, TX) We are so sorry to learn of the passing of Ray; but we are so thankful we got to hear him preach and get to know him and his family when our dughter and son-in-law and grandkids lived in Mineral Wells. Roy & Charlsy Ford (Temple / Troy, TX) We only knew Ray for the past four years but in that short time Mildred and I developed a great appreciation for his dedication to preaching the gosple. He was truly an outstanding Christian. We will miss him. Our sympathy goes out to his family. What a great way to express his death as "going to sleep and waking up in Heaven." God Bless. Mel & Midred Gardner (Mineral Wells, TX) Ray was a special friend and mentor. As his secretary, we had great times running our offset press. He was a true inspiration and brought a sense of stability to Southside that has lasted to the present. You could see Christ in him. Richard Anderson (Garland, TX) Ray was a faithful Gospel preacher. He shall be greatly missed. His influence lives on. James Vinzant (Justin, TX) November 17, 2007 Ray Crook was an excellent preacher and a great friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. We know Reta, & boys will miss him greatly. Reta will be encouraged in knowing he will be blessed by the God he so aptly preached. with love Bill & Racine Watson (Midland, TX) To Russell and all yours: May the Lord's grace and peace cover each of you in your loss. May you find all the blessings. Jesse had been to myrids as a servant to our Lord and to others. Buddy and Debbie Fry (Grandview, TX) So sorry to hear of the loss of Ray. I serviced him with vitamins so many times and enjoyed him each time he visited Dews. Stephen, you and your family are in mine and Buddy's prayers. May God give each of you comfort and strength. Buddy and Carolyn Smith (Porter, TX) I still cannot imagine a life here without Ray being in it, somewhere or somehow. He has been part of my life since 1947 and I will miss him dearly. Even though we were apart most of our lives, our friendship stayed strong. I was there at your marriage and I know how much Ray loved you, and later knew how much he loved his family. I dearly hope and pray that I will soon be able to talk to you there in Mineral Wells. We love you and your family very much. Don and Carolyn Brooks (Houston, TX) We are so sorry to hear of Ray's passing. Our deepest condolances to his family. John & Deborah (Shepard, Connell,) Burns (Dallas, GA) I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and just know that you are always in my heart. Carolyn McLendon (Santo, TX) My prayers are with you with your loss. I know Ray is celebrating with God today and he is very happy. May God bless you during this time. Marks Mealio (Kingston Springs, TN) Reta, We were so sorry to get the news about Ray's death. We were so glad to reconnect with you two again in the recent years. So many memories when we were in school at Iredell and the senior trip. He will be missed. God Bless you and the children. Pat and LaWan Low (Waco, TX) November 18, 2007 I'm so sorry for your loss. The service was just beautiful and tells me what a great man he must have been. His cousin, Hazel McVey would like to keep in touch with the rest of the family. Her phone number is 691-3575. Thank you. Our prayers are with you all. Paula Vaughn (Hazel's daughter-in-law) Paula Vaughn (Wichita Falls, TX) Our prayers and thought are with your family in this time. Ray and Reta were such a stronghold and inspiration to myself, the church, and the city of Mineral Wells. Jeremy & Kim Lukas (Midland, TX) I'm so sorry for the loss of Ray. When my husband and I were just starting out, we went to church with him. He was a really great man. Julia & Ron Shannon (Canton, OH) Russell and family, we are sorry to hear about you dad. You and your family will be in our prayers. In Christian love, Joe& Fairy George (Cleburne, TX) November 19, 2007 Reta, So sorry to hear about Ray's death. He was classmate of my. We grew up in Chattanooga. It has been 14 years since I lost my husband. It's hard but you can make it. You have family and friends to help you. Love, Louise (Williams) Kreke (Midwest City, OK) November 23, 2007 Dear Reta, Ray was my Hero. I'll always remember him for the kind things he did. I remember when I was a little boy, he always had time for me. I remember watching the croquet games, going fishing with him, staying with ya'll & getting Steve to ask you if we could go to Phoebe's for rootbeer and ice cream, every night! I remember ya'll staying in your travel trailer at our house during revivals at Iredell. I remember Ray with shaving cream all over his face walkng around and letting it 'soak' his whiskers. I remember him sending me back to the house one time because he had forgotten his denture adhesive! I remember when he worked night after night on Mom's cabinets. Fish frrys, going fishing with him on his boat, the big old homemade fiberglass boat that he gave Troy and I that we had so much fun with. He preached our wedding. Family reunions at the lake. Buck deer tails for fishing lures and how to make them. Dad has a saying about a few people that he really admires as being "One among a few". Ray truly was. I believe that everyone whoever spent very much time around Ray Crook was a better person for it. Ray never met a stranger and left a trail ofr friends behind. I'll bet he's up there in heaven right now, passing out white slab fishing lures. God bless, Tommy Ray Thompson (Lone Grove, OK) February 27, 2008 I remember well my first encounter with Ray. We had our boat in the water on the ramp at Platter and Daddy had me diving for the boat plug he had accidentally dropped overboard. Ray, ever watchful, came down to lend a hand or, rather, his boys' helping hands. He extended a friendly hand to my dad and the Crook/Casebolt friendship unfurled from there. Vivid pictures come to mind of him standing with his hands on his waist, feet planted in a wide stance, and a big grin on his face. His welcoming us into the coveted campsite we all claimed as our own was a great beginning to each summer's reunion! One memory that makes me chuckle each time I think about it is how impressively Ray snored. WOW! I remember when we'd all line up on our cots and sleep outside within close proximity of y'all's popup. Truly, the first time I heard him I thought there was a bear in the camp. We would laugh and jest about the popup being subject to subtle rocking secondary to this talent of his. It was a wonder to me how Reta could sleep through such a ruckus. No offense intended, but I had not been enlightened to the world of snoring until then. Even my olfactory senses have a distinct memory of him. Each summer it was a mystery to me how he concocted his own sunscreen potion out of the most noxious smelling stuff; namely, isopropyl alcohol. I can see him now, liberally splashing it all over his shiny head and freckled arms all the while proudly coaxing us innocent bystanders to try it! No Platter experience was complete without a fresh fish fry! But my favorite delectable delights were his infamous sopapillas. Now that I live in the land of sopapillas I have an even greater appreciation for his culinary efforts in the great outdoors. It was a unique and special time of worship on Sundays when we all got to experience him at his game. His messages were consistently positive and uplifting. What a legacy, huh? One of the most admirable traits I loved about him was his undeniable love and adoration for Reta. He treated her with a respect and sweetness that was deserving of the gentle woman she is. At this moment I have a picture of him walking along in his flip-flops holding hands with her as they made their nightly trek to the bathhouse. I just grieve for her overwhelming loss as she faces their daily routine without him. They were a stellar match! Suzie Newton (Las Cruces, NM)

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