More detail on this person: October 6, 1933 -
January 26, 2011
After a lengthy struggle to recover from severe,
debilitating injuries resulting from a 2008
accident, Royce Donald Raley died Wednesday,
January 25, 2011 at Oakview Nursing Home in
Hubbard. He was born in Brushie Prairie on October
6, 1933 to Roy and Carrie (Berry) Raley. The
family later moved to Dawson where he attended
school.
DonâÇÖs life was richly marked with service to his
country. When he was only 17, he made a
surprising decision, and his parents gave their
consent for him to enlist in the United States
Army. By the time he was 18, he was stationed in
Korea, and in 1958, became a lifetime member of
the Army Aviation Association of America. Military
assignments took him to Ft. Rucker, Alabama, Ft.
Lee, Virginia, and Ft. Greely, Alaska. Later, he
proudly completed two tours of duty in Vietnam,
1964-65 and 1968-69. He received many Army
Commendation medals for meritorious service, one
with its accompanying oak leaf cluster. He was
also awarded the Distinguished Combat Service
medal from the 147th Hillclimber Association as
pilot of the Chinook. In 1999, he was recognized
by the Fort WoltersâÇÖ Chapter of the Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association.
Once he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer, W-4,
after 23 years of military service, Don returned
to Dawson where, for a time, he owned and
operated Navarro Mills Bait House and Store.
DonâÇÖs commitment to living a life of service to
help others continued in his community where he
worked for a time as DawsonâÇÖs night watchman
and then as a trained EMT, serving for several
years as a member of DawsonâÇÖs Volunteer
Ambulance Association. His work as a reserve
officer with the Navarro County SheriffâÇÖs
Department lead to his being named Peace Officer
of the Year by the Navarro County Peace
OfficersâÇÖ Association. From 2001-2004, he was
Navarro Country Precinct 3 Constable. His life was
expansive, serving his community as well as his
country.
In 1991, Don married Anita Richardson, who loved
him beyond measure and not only was he her
husband but her best friend as well. Throughout
DonâÇÖs illness, Anita unceasingly devoted herself
to him as his loving caregiver.
Don was strong-willed, sometimes to a fault, but
he also possessed a generous nature and a
willingness to help people. His life speaks of his
caring about others on the other side of the globe
as well as his community and family. A member of
the First Baptist Church, Don spoke about his
faith often and found comfort in his Bible (which
he had read in its entirety more than once).
Family members preceding him in death are his
father, Roy Raley in 1991, his mother, Carrie
Raley Snider in 2004, and his older sister, Joyce
Hubbard, in 2007.
Survivors include his wife of nineteen years,
Anita of Dawson; daughter Suzie Withrow and
husband Mark of Corsicana; daughter Donna
Mullins of Tulsa, Oklahoma; stepson David
Richardson and wife Melinda of Corsicana, stepson
Roy Dean Ingham of Corsicana; sisters Ruby Nell
Darden of Bowie and Linda Hodge and husband
Daryl of Streetman; brother Joe Raley and wife
Alma of Port Neches; grandchildren Bradley
Withrow, Ashley Withrow Douglas and husband
Daniel, Josh Wilder, Hunter Richardson, Tanner
Richardson, Mason Richardson, and Stephen
Ingham, all of Corsicana.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt
gratitude to the nurses and staff of Oakview and
Providence Hospice for their attentive care to Don
and their nurturing support extended to Anita.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on
Saturday, January 29 at Wade Funeral Chapel in
Hubbard with Rev. Ricky Woodall officiating.
Interment will follow in Dawson Cemetery. The
family will receive friends from 6-8 on Friday at
the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Roy L. Darden, Eddie Hodge,
Wayne Smith, Don Nesmith, G.C. Younger, Collins
Bumpers and Kenneth Bumpers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in
DonâÇÖs name to the Dawson Cemetery
Association, P.O. Box 126, Dawson, TX 76639.
Funeral Services Saturday January 29, 2011, 2:00
pm at Wade Funeral Chapel. Interment in Dawson
Cemetery.
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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