Darrell O' Keith Ray Sr. was born on Tuesday August 25, 1964 to the late Eddie Lee Ray Jr. and Emma J. Jackson in Gilmer,TX.  Most know him as "short dog", or "Big Darrell".  He grew up running up and down the streets of Gilmer and the Nawf -side of Tyler on 31 ^st street and Carter Boulevard.  He attended the public school system and graduated from John Tyler High School.

If you knew "Big Darrell" then you know he was always on the go whether you saw him in Gilmer, Dallas, or Tyler.  His grandchildren will remember that Papa is very giving, a good man, and he is the Papa that always brings the birthday money.  His love of cars is shown in the many old-school classics that he owned and being apart of the El Camino Club.  You may remember the blue green El Camino, or the eggshell blue Thunderbird, or the ruby red '98. He prided himself on having fun and being a straight shooter.  His spiritual journey was enriched at Miles Chapel CME church under the direction of Reverend Willie McCalister.  He passed away Tuesday April 13 in the afternoon taking his last breath with his children.

He was ushered into eternal glory by paternal grandparents Eddie Lee Sr. and Prenella Ray.  Maternal grandparents R.T. and Agnus Jackson.  Fathers Eddie Lee Ray Jr., and Robert N Carter. Uncles George Ray and James Jackson, and Sister Yulanda R. Warren.

Left to cherish his laughing memories are his mother Emma Carter, ride through the storm partner Yvonne James, sister Connie Ray, children Sha'Mecha Ray (Ri'Niya, Braylon, Jaylen), Kali James (Kaylee Jo), Darrell Ray Jr. (Damiyah, Draylyn, Danielle); nephew Rayshad Ray; nieces Kierra Warren, Briana Warren, and Iy'Lexis Carrington; aunts Joyce Ray, Imogene Jones (Jimmy), Mabel Finch (Norman), Mary Jackson (William), and Ethel Walford; uncles Paul Brinkley and Robert Charles Jackson; and girlfriend Andrea.

Darrell was cherished by a host of fun-loving, good time having cousins and long-time friends of over more than 30 years, not to mention those friends he made a long the way.  If you look closely at the clouds you may see him sitting driver side of that eggshell blue Thunderbird riding high in the sky.