Arthur Eugene "Ott" Ray

Arthur Eugene "Ott" Ray passed away December 22, 2015. Ott was born January 3, 1927 to Clyde E. and Gladys Lorraine (Wofford) Ray in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Ott grew up in Hot Springs and attended Oaklawn Grade School where he was a member of the Buttermilk Boys Baseball Team. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1944 where he had spent many hours enjoying baseball (2nd base), football, basketball, and hunting. At the age of 17, Ott began serving in the U. S. Navy during WWII as a radio operator, RM3. After the war ended, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he was a member of the Theta Tau Fraternity and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, class of 1950. Ott was a Professional Engineer and retired from Entergy as District Manager after 37 years of service. His professional activities included serving as the Arkansas President of the Society of Professional Engineers and of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He also was appointed by then Governor, Bill Clinton, to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Ott was very active in the community serving as either President or Chairman of the United Way of Garland County, Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Hot Springs Planning Commission, Hot Springs Civil Service Commission and Hot Springs Lions Club. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Garland County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Ott was a member of the Roy L. Murphy Razorback Club and was a loyal Razorback fan and football season ticket holder for over 60 years. He also was a longstanding member of the Lake Ouachita Camping Association, LOCA. He was an avid bird watcher, enjoyed playing golf and held the title of World Champion in Washer Pitching. But more than anything, he treasured his family. He was completely devoted to the love of his life, Cora Lee, his four daughters, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his entertaining attempts to make a long story short, his big smile and his contagious laugh. His daughters often heard him described by others as "One of the nicest men I've ever met". He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Arliss Dean Ray and wife Ardyth ("Jackie") Lee Sharman, and one infant daughter, Melanie Sue. Arthur Eugene is survived by his wife of 64 years, Cora Lee (Sparks) Ray, daughters Paula Lynn Linington (Greg) of Hot Springs and their children Justin Ray Linington (Jenna) of Houston, Texas and their daughter Ava Marie and Lauren Blythe Buttrum (Brad) of Hot Springs and their son Paxton Ray, Sharon Lee Bridges (Mike) of Hot Springs and their children Cori Annette of Greenville, Texas and Michael Ray of College Station, Texas, Shelly Jean Beck (Ben) of Hot Springs and their children Garrett and Hannah, and Donna Laurie Galloway of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and her children Louie Altheimer, Courtney Lee, and Erin Lynn. Arthur is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marilynn Geurin (Jim) and family, his brother's children Sandra Lee Muller (John) of Colleyville, Texas, Nancy Ray Bond of West Linn, Oregon, Laurie Jean Goss of Dunn Loring, Va., James Clyde Ray (Nancy) of The Woodlands, Texas and Joseph Thomas Yannetti of Mesquite, Texas and his brother's many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 1 p.m. Saturday with funeral service immediately following at 2 p.m. Saturday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home with Dr. John McCallum officiating. Burial will be private. Pallbearers will be Greg Linington, Mike Bridges, Ben Beck, Justin Linington, Michael Bridges, Louie Galloway V, Garrett Beck and Brad Buttrum. Honorary Pallbearers are Hot Springs High School Class of 1944, Hot Springs Lions Club, Entergy employees, LOCA, and members of the evening bridge club. The family wishes to express special gratitude to Tonia Ross, Ken Wachtendorf, and Southern Charm Senior Care of Hot Springs, especially caregiver Merlie Cope. Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. 71901 and The Caring Place, 101 Quapaw Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. 71901. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.