Ray Spradling, Jr.
Ray Spradling, Jr., age 90 of Caddo, Texas, passed from this life on June 10, 2019, in Breckenridge. The family will welcome friends for a visitation on Thursday, June 13, 2019, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Bee Branch Cemetery under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.
Ray was born on May 27, 1929, to Ray and Allie Spradling in the Oak Grove Community near Breckenridge. In school, Ray was quite the athlete. He ran track and played tennis. He loved football and rarely missed a Dallas Cowboys game on TV. Ray met the love of his life, Patsy Condron, on the school bus in Caddo, Texas. They were married on January 16, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Breckenridge. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past January.
After high school, Ray sang with a gospel group in Lubbock, where they cut a record. His singing career spanned for many years. The group was called, the Spradling Family Quartet. The group sang for many of the 1st Sunday Singings in Breckenridge and the surrounding communities. Ray had always worked hard from a young age, but the vast part of his working career he was in management for various grocery companies. Many would possibly remember him from the A&P Grocery that was in the downtown area of Breckenridge for many years.
In the family’s numerous moves for Ray’s career in the grocery business, the family was always a part of a local First Christian Church, where he served numerous roles: treasurer, choir member and a deacon. During their time in Stephenville, he was an active member of the Rotary Club. Ray was also proud that he was associated with the Gideons. He always enjoyed passing out Bibles to the local school children and military inductees. Ray proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the grocery business, he found a new passion — raising cattle — and it became one of his greatest pleasures. Ray always said it gave him a reason to get up each day after retiring. Also during his retirement, he and Pat took over the family ranch in Caddo. He always loved to spend spare time riding around the ranch, counting cows and taking care of them.
Ray loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were his pride and joy, and they called him their “Dadoo.” It was customary when coming to Dadoo’s that they were greeted with hugs and kisses and an occasional Coke float. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to many.
Ray is survived by his wife, Patsy (Pat) Condron Spradling; daughters, Raylene Spradling Woodall and husband Frank of Pflugerville, Texas, and Kristy Kay Spradling Conn and husband Mike of Santa Clara, California; grandchildren; Colin Woodall and wife Aimee of Cheverly, Maryland, Matt Woodall and wife Becky of Big Spring, Texas, and Alison Woodall Hartzell and husband Mike of Salado, Texas; great-grandchildren, Kaelie, Colt, and Maggie Woodall, Sean and Liam Dougherty and Rylee Hartzell; sister-in-law, Betty Spradling of Terrell, Texas; and six nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Allie Spradling; sister, Allena Spradling Dover; and brother Joe Spradling.
Memorials may be made to the local Meals on Wheels in Breckenridge or the Gideon’s International and may be left at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home office. Condolences may be made at www.meltonkitchens.com
