Dates
His earthly body finally exhausted itself at home at 10:25 AM on August 30, 2023, at the age of 87. He was mentally aware of everything around him until his last breath. He stated, “I’m tired, think I just need to go to sleep” and in ten minutes his body and mind peacefully shut down. His legacy and impact on humanity will be remembered by his incessant and pure desire to help others.
He was born on January 15, 1936, in Bay Saint Louis Mississippi. After quitting school in the 8th grade, he moved to the New Orleans French Quarter with his mother. His teenage years were spent furthering his education in the school of hard knocks and realities of life. He worked in a print shop as a “type” setter and generally roamed the streets. Upon advice from a “fatherly figure and Judge”, he was advised (or else) to join the US Army in 1953. He served his 3-year enlistment and was honorably discharged. Returning to New Orleans he realized how much the Military Life was exactly what he needed and a few months later Joined the US Air Force. The Air Force recognized his “Personality Skills”, and he served in this capacity as a “Personnel Man” for his entire career attaining the Rank of Master Sargeant. He retired from the US Air Force in 1976 at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX. Shortly thereafter He went to work for the US Postal Service in Grand Junction Colorado, and they too recognized his “Personality Skills” and gave him the position of Postmaster in Rangely Colorado. After 20 years he retired and moved back to San Angelo to start his “Volunteer Career” full time in 1999. Next to his devotion to family, volunteering was a life-long passion, and his friendly and outgoing personality allowed him to never meet a stranger. The list of agencies he aided was extensive, which makes it difficult to name them all. He loved the East Angelo Lions Club, the Lions Club in general, and the American Red Cross for all they did to assist him in his goals. It was his passion, true and deep in his heart, mind, body, and soul.
He didn’t have the greatest family life growing up and he made sure his 2 families with Evelyn and Carolyn were at the top of his list. He liked to use the term “Blended Families” and he made sure everyone knew it. His Parents were Earl Joseph Favre(D) and Lottie Agatha Schwall(D) who had 4 children. Rosalyn, Rayburn, Earl Joseph(D) and Ralph, all originating from Bay Saint Louis Mississippi.
He married Evelyn Ring (D) in 1958 in Lincoln Nebraska. Together they had four children. A military career took the family to bases in Anchorage, AK; San Antonio, TX; Okinawa, Japan; Portsmouth, NH; Fairbanks, AK, and then to San Angelo, TX for retirement; as well as many cross-country vacations and extended stays with family in Pasadena, CA; Grand Junction, CO; New Orleans LA; Fort Worth TX; and Spencer, NE. He loved to travel and gave up driving in June of this year. He is survived by their children, Michael Earl Favre (Elisha), Kim Marie Favre Womack (Gary), Monty Lane Favre (Melanie) and Kelly Rae-Ann Favre Field (Bryan); grandchildren; Shawn Favre (Chrissie), Jerod Favre, M’Kenna Landers (Charlie), Ashlyn Favre (Caleb), Mika Favre, Lonnie Field (Sarah), Kandra Edmunds, Kaela Edmunds, Weston Womack, Brooks Womack, Bailey Landrum, Kameron Landrum, Corbin Landrum, McKenzie Holliman and great grandchildren Riley Favre, Eli Landers, Delta Landers, Lincoln Landers, Bowen Winger, Easton Winger, Tucker Field , Payten Field, Adley Allison and a multitude of nieces, nephews and many “adopted” family members, Notably Jimmy Colvin , Arnoldo Ayala, Bronson Jowers, Garry Massey and Joel Backus. “Grandpa Ray” was a very vocalized term!
He married Carolyn Field (D) in 1980 and though they did not have any children together, that never meant anything different to Ray, this was family. Carolyn had a daughter Starla who was dear to his heart. He is survived by Starla Ree Karr (Paul); grandchildren; Jeremy (Noemi), Josh (Tarrah), Katie (Blaine) and great grandchildren Audrye (Walker), Norrah, Ella, Abby, Weston, Grant, Raeya (namesake), Bransen and Harper and a Great; Great; Grandchild Walker.
Christmas Celebrations with Ray were sometimes an exhausting culminating event, he always had something wrapped up for “everyone”, a few extras and of course the surprising presentational twist. His preparations never had a beginning or end date, they were continuous. He strived to never miss a birthday, an event, or some type of acknowledgment for a very large family and always with his unique pleasantry, you knew he was thinking about you.
Ray was a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church (Pathway lit by God and Evelyn Favre). He loved the Lord and was a devout Christian and fully accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He will have his place in heaven and will continue to take care of his family.
The family would like to thank Donnie Dunagan, Tracy May, Jo Ann Willis, and Jackie Swanson for their friendship, help and support.
A celebration to honor the life of Rayburn Leonard Favre, will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3536 Lutheran Wy, San Angelo TX at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to “Any charity you like…. He supported them All” We are grateful for a peaceful and pain-free passing. You will be missed dearly.