Everything Nac

Longtime Scout Executive and Rotarian, Ray Allen Smith, age 75, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013.

He was born on February 19, 1938, to Hazel Louise and Leo Wright Smith in Houston, Texas. Raised in the small East Texas town of Garrison, Texas, Ray learned to hunt, fish and enjoyed being a member of the Boy Scouts where he achieved the Rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, he left Texas to develop lifelong Scouting skills at the Boy Scouts of America National Training Center in Mendham, New Jersey. He started his professional Scouting career in Chicago, Illinois, where he also met his wife, Elfriede. Longing to return to Texas, Ray and Elfriede moved to Arlington, Texas, where he continued his career with the Ft. Worth Boy Scout council.

After a number of years in Ft. Worth and Dallas, the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he became the Scout Executive of the Gulf Coast Council BSA. His career culminated with his being chosen the Scout Executive of the Capital Area Council in Austin, Texas, where he served for 18 years until his retirement. During a career that spanned over 40 years, he met and worked with countless volunteers and professionals. His wish was that he could once again tell each and every one of them how very much he appreciated them for their countless hours of work, talent and treasure they dedicated to the advancement of youth. Returning back to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2002, Ray enjoyed his retirement spending time with family, talking Longhorn football, fishing in the coastal waters and hanging out with his friends at Marker 37.

Ray is preceded in death by his father, Leo Wright Smith; mother, Hazel Louise Smith; and brother, Glen Larry Smith (Anne).

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elfriede; daughter, Susanne; son, Robert (Lori); grandchildren, Farleigh Rae and Logan Rhys Smith; sister, Martha Ann Franklin; nieces, April (Chris) Garrett, Quentin, Christian, Lukah Garrett; and nephew, Glen Smith Jr.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf, located at 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel with interment to follow at Holly Springs Cemetery in his beloved East Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Boy Scouts of America, Christus Spohn, or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches. Memories and condolences may also be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com

Dr. Edward J. Cragoe, Jr. was born on July 16, 1917 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He married the love of his life, Martha, on December 27, 1942, while attending the University of Nebraska. He graduated with his PhD in July 1944.

Ted and Martha relocated to Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where he worked for Merck from September 1944 until his retirement in February 1988. He patented 257 compounds, two of his most famous were Diuril and amiloride. He was also actively involved in his church, Limerick Chapel, as an elder, Sunday School teacher, and Bible Institute instructor.

He moved to Nacogdoches upon his retirement in 1990, engaged in consultant work, and became involved as a Bible teacher at Calvary Baptist Church.

Ted was preceded to heaven by his wife on February 12, 2007. He relocated to Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, in 2011 to live with his son and daughter-in-law. Dr. Cragoe died on December 19, 2013.

He is survived by his daughter Martie and son-in-law Marty, son Tom and daughter-in-law Rebecca, daughter Chris and son-in-law Gary, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Graveside services are set for 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013, at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches. Officiating will be Bro. Paul Sevar, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013, at Cason Monk-Metcalf, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in honor of Ted to Calvary Baptist Church, 3732 NE Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, TX 75965.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors in Nacogdoches. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.