On Wednesday, September 8, 2021 Ray Findley, of Santa Anna, passed away from our presence into the loving arms of his savior Jesus Christ.  Ray was born the youngest son of C.D. and Velma Findley on October 2, 1945 in Brownwood, Texas.  He was immediately loved by his older sisters and became a partner of his older brother in many adventures.  He was raised in Bangs and was a lifelong Bangs Dragon who bled green. 

He graduated from Bangs High School in 1964 in a class that remained close throughout his life.  Ray was an outstanding athlete who excelled in all sports.  He was an awesome football player and made trips to the state track meet.  His football career continued after high school with a football scholarship to play at McMurry College. The 1968 McMurry football team, which Ray was a member, was inducted into the McMurry Hall of Honor. He graduated from there in 1969 to follow the family legacy in education and began his long coaching career in Childress, Texas.  His coaching career took him to various places: Tahoka, Friendship, Irving High, Bangs, Coleman, Santa Anna and Breckenridge. Many track and field state qualifiers were coached by Coach Findley.  The state track meet was an annual family vacation.  His love of coaching was demonstrated through the numerous lives he touched and by the many students he stayed in touch with over the years. He was a lifetime member of the Texas High School Coaches Association. Ray continued his education with his niece and received his Masters from Tarleton. 

Ray had many other hobbies and loves besides education.  His love of gardening and flowers was evident in his beautiful yard.  He loved his own children and considered all his students his kids also.  He was famous for his annual Christmas bash where he dressed as Santa Claus and spread joy to the children and community of Santa Anna.  Grilling for friends and family was a common highlight in his home.  He also sold fireworks for many summers in which he employed many friends and family members.  His fireworks sales were an endless supply for his nieces and nephews, much to the objections of parents’ and grandparents’.  Ray also served as the youth director of the First United Methodist Church in Santa Anna and a lifetime member of the Bangs Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents C.D. and Velma Findley, sisters Patsy Sinclair, Sammie McClatchy, Joy Jacobs, Vickie Findley and brother Donnie Findley. 

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Jean Findley of Santa Anna, son Scott Findley and wife Paula of Abilene, daughters Mandy Hunter and husband Mark of Midland, and Kasha Bartholomew and husband Ryan of Round Rock.  He is survived by his grandchildren Addyson and Bethany Findley, Clayton Hunter and Brenden, Karly, and Kinsley Bartholomew.  Ray is survived by his brother and sisters-in-law Barbara Findley of Bangs, Linda White, Gail and Richard Horner and David and Shelley Robinett of Santa Anna.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Finally, he is survived by his many students affectionately known as “Coach Findley’s kids”.

Visitation will be held at the Henderson Funeral Home in Santa Anna from 5:00-6:30 pm, Saturday, September 11.  Services will be held at the Northside Baptist Church in Santa Anna at 2 pm, Sunday, September 12.  Burial will follow at the Bangs Cemetery under the direction of Henderson Funeral Home.  For charitable donations in Ray’s memory, the family is requesting they be sent to the West Texas Rehab Center.

A livestream of service will be available for viewing on facebook at Henderson Funeral Home or Northside Baptist Church.

Pallbearers:  Tim Parker, Tom Guthrie, Chris Cheaney, Prenden Brown, Alfred Deal, & Kevin Morris

Honorary Pallbearers:  Mischa Zeller, Juah Aalto