Obituary for Ray Duck
Ray Duck, age 98, entered his heavenly home on September 27, 2025, at the Wesley House in Sulphur
Springs. There will be a celebration of life held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at
Murray Orwosky Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Pogue officiating.
Mr. Duck was born on February 2, 1927, in Linden, Texas, to Raymond and Mabel Claire
(Williamson) Duck in Linden, Texas. He married Nellie Marie Beard August 21, 1944, in Avinger,
TX. Ray and Nell were married 72 years. After serving in the US army during World War II, they
relocated to west Texas where they lived in Snyder, Midland, Abilene, and Lubbock. Ray was in the
insurance business and was among one of the first Certified Financial Planners in Texas. They moved
to Sulphur Springs in 1980 where he retired from the business world and entered the ministry. He and
Nell were charter members of New Beginnings Fellowship where he was ordained to the ministry and
served as Assistant Pastor. He loved teaching and counseling and touched many lives at New
Beginnings. He was blessed to have made many friends who became like family. He retired from the
ministry at the age of 80.
Ray is survived by his daughter, LaVerna Hipp of Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren: Teri Meskimen
of Sulphur Springs, TX; Jamie Hipp and wife, Jenny, of Woodway, TX; Catha Jaynes and husband,
Ryan, of Houston, TX; Crista Henderson and husband, Nick, of Bastrop, TX; nine great
grandchildren: Noah, Landry, McKenna, and Hunter Meskimen; Jordan, Taylor, and Karis Hipp;
Parker Henderson; and Henry Jaynes. He leaves behind many friends who loved him dearly and who
were like family to him.
His wife, Nell; son, Louis Ray Duck and wife, Vicky; and son in law, Mike Hipp, preceded him in
death.
The family would like to thank the Wesley House staff who loved him and treated him like family,
Choice Hospice who lovingly cared for him in his last days, and Pauline and Eddie Flora who became
like family to all of us as they faithfully loved and cared for him.
Memorials can be made to Sandi’s Feeding Program for children in the Philippines through Fruitful
Harvest Ministry, PO Box 1130, Sulphur
Springs, TX 75482.
