Lawrence Ray Wilson, Jr. M.D. of Fairview, Texas, passed away July 21, 2022, at the age of 87. He was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1934, the second child to Lawrence Ray Wilson, Sr. and Mary Ruth (Johnson) Wilson in Ada, Oklahoma. Ray married the love of his life, Susan Smyth on January 29, 1955 in Blackwell, Oklahoma. They recently celebrated 67 years of marriage. While in medical school, Ray and Susan had a daughter. After graduation, Ray spent a few years in the Air Force where they added to their family a son and a daughter. After serving his country and rising to the rank of Captain, Ray did his residency in anesthesia here in Dallas. After completion, Ray and Susan moved to Lubbock, and Ray joined the Lubbock Anesthesiologist group where he practiced medicine from 1967 to 2000, specializing in cardiovascular anesthesia. From his earliest age, Ray loved the Lord. He loved the church. He loved the Bible. This is the legacy he has left his three children. Ray was very giving of his money and his time. He had a heart for the mission field and was involved in supporting those who dedicated their lives to spread the gospel. Ray served as a deacon and then an elder. Ray was also honored to serve as a trustee for Lubbock Christian University. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ray is survived by his wife, Susan Smyth Wilson; daughter, Jennifer Mastalka and husband Rick of Plano, Texas; son, Larry Wilson and wife, Susan Kay of Houston, Texas; daughter, Sally Mimms and husband, Quentin of Fairview, Texas; grandchildren, Matt Mastalka and wife, Valerie, Christopher Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Laura Wilson, Rachel Hughes and husband, Conor, Kevin Mimms and wife, Stephany, Sam Mimms and wife, Jordan; 8 great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Wilson Zeigler; grandson, Jeffrey Mastalka; and his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2022 at McDermott Road Church of Christ, 5600 McDermott Road, Plano, Texas, 75025. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday at 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013.
Memorials may be made to:
- Lubbock Christian University
- L.R. & Ruth Wilson Teacher Excellence Award
- 5601 19th Street
- Lubbock, TX 79407
- https://lcu.edu/give