Henry Ray Sargent, Sr.

Funeral services for Henry Ray Sargent, Sr., 92, of Etoile, will be held at 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Blue Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the funeral home. 

Henry “Ray” Sargent, Sr. was born on June 18, 1930, the son of Henry and Mattie Head Sargent. He grew up as a true East Texas boy, learning that hard work and dedication is what it takes to make a life for yourself.  Ray did just that.  He joined United States Army, where he honorably served for approximately 6 years and was Sgt. Sargent when he was honorably discharged.  Upon returning home, Ray met the love of his life and made her his wife.  He and Bernice lived a wonderful 60 years side by side as they raised their family. 

True to his roots, Ray made sure that his family knew how to work hard for what they wanted, trust God and always put Him first.  He also taught them that you get what you put into it….no matter what it was.  Setting an example of working hard is exactly what he did.  Ray worked 6 days a week, and on day 7, he and his family attended church at Macedonia as much as they could.  He left the raising of the kids with her and she taught the girls how to be loving wives and women of good character.  Ray took his son and taught him how to work the land and provide for his family.  Ray was extremely proud of his kids and loved them all.  When he was blessed with grandchildren, he was overjoyed with the simplicity of children and hearing the loving words “Papa and Pop”.  He loved them more than they ever knew.  He was especially blessed to have been such a great part in raising his grandson, Ronnie.

Ray was a simple man who took his family seriously, and that is why he worked as hard as he did.  Upon his retirement, he was actually able to enjoy the toils of his work.  He raised a garden, was able to sit around and play his guitar and spend time with family.  Ray was a man of much wisdom, most of which he learned the hard way…trial and error.  Everyone knew if they had a problem, they could ask Ray because he undoubtedly had been faced with it before and had a solution.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Julie Fannin and Neica Pena & husband, Freddy; son, Henry Sargent Jr. and wife, Pamela; grandchildren, Ronnie Prater, Brandi Conales, Gerald Patrick, Zach Patrick, Lesie Goff, Norma Jean Lusk, David Keiffer, Belinda, Henry Sargent III, Stephanie Thota and Christopher Rhem; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice Sargent; daughters, Wanda Tucker, Brenda Douhen and Linda Dumas; granddaughter, August Windham; and sisters, Lela Adkinson, Lola Sargent, Lila Steagal and Leona Dorman.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Prater, Dustin Prater, Trace Prater, Blayton King, Zac Patrick and Henry Sargent III.

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