Ray Schober

On Monday, August 29, 2016, a kind and loving man passed away. Charles Ray Schober was born in Sabinal, Texas on July 25, 1925 to William Henry Schober, an Austrian immigrant, and Jessie Morrison Schober, a young woman of American Indian heritage. Ray’s family which included his older brother, John Henry, and younger brother and sister, Earl and Melba, moved to Marlin, Texas where his father owned and operated the A&M Café. After his parents’ divorce, Ray’s father raised his children as a single parent with a few simple rules: help with your younger brother and sister, work in the café where you are needed and go to church on Sunday. Ray said that it did not matter to his dad which church they attended as long as they were present, “so me and Earl tried ‘em all.” These formative years set a pattern of hard work and helping others as a foundation for the values in Ray’s life. In 1942, Ray joined the United States Navy to fight in WWII. By the end of his duty, he had served on the USS Pybus, the USS Wake Island and the USS Bennington. He was a gunner’s mate third class. He was awarded the Good Conduct medal, the Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars and the European Theater Medal for his service. Ray’s father died while he was fighting overseas, leaving a deep sadness in his life. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he began a twenty year career with Rapid Transit in Houston. He left the bus company to become a pricing agent for Barber Incorporated, a mechanical contracting firm. This in turn led him to a twenty-five year career as “The Counter Man” at Moore Supply in Humble, Texas. Ray loved the years spent there working for the Moore family and store manager, Johnny Spurlock. He made many friends in the plumbing industry. After his retirement, he continued to enjoy his weekend home at Crystal Beach, being a hands on – “we can do this” – school project grandfather, and the camp cook at the Coots Matthews Ranch in La Pryor, Texas. He finished out the 2015 deer season with good home cooked meals and quiet rides around the ranch. Ray loved everything about West Texas. Aside from the Ranch, his favorite spots included the Gage Hotel in Marathon, anywhere in the Davis Mountains and the town of Fort Davis. He was a cowboy at heart, living a simple, hardworking life. Ray possessed many natural talents and he used each one to the fullest degree. It goes without saying that he was an excellent cook and plumber but he was also an amazing carpenter and furniture maker. His artistic talents were also displayed in his leather work, turning out hand-tooled gun straps and holsters as well as chaps and saddles. There was little that he could not do and what he enjoyed most was doing it for others. Ray was proceeded in death by his parents, siblings, wife, Shannon Daugherty Matthews Schober, step-son, Mike Matthews, nephew, Mike Arnold, niece, Charlotte Rose and good friend, Georgia Worthington. Paw Ray, as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, leaves behind a big, loving blended family made up of: Daughter, Bonnie Vacarro, Son, Wayne Schober and wife Ellen, all of Clifton, New Jersey. Step-daughter and husband, Sharon and Joel Scott and Step-daughter-in-law, Judie Matthews, all of Humble, Texas. Grandchildren, Joe, Sam, Chris, Caitlyn, Michael, Temple, McKinley, Hayden, Ashley, Geoffrey, Ford and Casey; Great-grandchildren, Camilla, Isabella, Marley, Finn, Cohle, Rhedding, Beau and Sloane; Nephews, Larry (Stella), Johnny Ray (Donna), Joe (Debbie), Dickie, Bruce and Chuck; Niece, Carolyn. Paw Ray would never forgive us if we failed to mention his beloved Hungarian Vizsla, Hooter Boy, who was his constant and faithful companion. Thank you to A*Med hospice caregivers, Tawana, Eric, Thelma and TiTi for their kind support and care. A special thank you to Dr. Craig Kovitz of Millenium Oncology for his dedication and friendship that culminated in two more years of quality time with our Paw Ray. Last, but never least, a huge thank you to dear friend Sandy Mason for her watchful eye in times of Sharon and Joel’s absence. As part of the greatest generation, Ray was quiet but determined to do things his way. Therefore, under his directions, the family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Rosewood Funeral Home, 2602 South Houston Ave., 77396, in Humble, Texas. Those wishing to attend his graveside service Friday, September 2, 2016, will meet at 12 noon at Rosewood Funeral home to be escorted to Earthman Resthaven Cemetery, 13102 North Freeway. In lieu of flowers, Ray asked that you take someone you love to lunch.