Raymond Charles Kallas, Jr., of Allen, Texas, passed away on January 21, 2025, at the age of 61 surrounded by his loving wife and the spirit of much love of his family and friends. Ray was born on May 23, 1963, in Houston, Texas, to Raymond Charles Kallas and Patricia Ann (Schlegel) Kallas.
Ray was a vibrant man who approached life with a smile and an infectious enthusiasm. His family was his greatest joy, and he devoted himself to making their lives happy and fulfilling. On August 20, 2005, Ray married the love of his life, Felicia Ann Salinas (Farnsworth), in Plano, Texas. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
Ray found joy in simple pleasures, particularly gathering with friends and family for fun lunches and dinners and even accompanying Felicia on her shopping trips, always eager to spend as much time with her as possible. He enjoyed listening to music, specifically the Rolling Stones and Neil Young, and even believed he wanted a career in music in his younger years. Ray was a familiar face in the neighborhood, known not only for his warm smile but also for his engaging conversations. A true people person, he loved talking with anyone and everyone, always ready with a kind word or a funny story. His beloved dog, Oliver, was his constant companion, and together they enjoyed countless walks through the neighborhood, where they made lasting friendships with neighbors and their furry friends. He delighted in jokingly telling everyone that he “hired” his sister-in-law, Yolanda Maldonado, to care for Oliver so that Oliver was never alone.
Professionally, Ray was a dedicated Talent Acquisition Director with over 30 years of experience in the field. His passion for connecting people with opportunities earned him the prestigious Recruiter of the Year award from Recruiting Trends in 2014. He had a successful and fulfilling career developing and executing Talent Acquisition teams and programs. Prior to his early retirement, Ray worked at Halff, Inc., ATMOS Energy Corporation, Staubach/Cypress Equities and DAVACO. Ray graduated from Sharpstown Senior High School in Houston, Texas and earned a BBA in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas and was AIRS Certified in Human Resources, showcasing his commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
Above all, Ray believed in the importance of happiness and living life to the fullest. He taught those around him to embrace joy, not take life too seriously, and to always find reasons to smile. His legacy of commitment to his family, kindness, sense of humor, laughter, and love will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Felicia Ann Kallas; his beloved and faithful dog, Oliver; children, Katie Spyropoulos and husband, Trey of Prosper, Texas, Matthew Raymond Kallas of McKinney, Texas, and Kelli Donaldson of Louisville, Kentucky; grandson, Nicolas Hendricks of Conroe, Texas; granddaughter Annie Spyropoulos; granddaughter on the way, Tessa Spyropoulos; his sisters, Julie Hart and husband, Hale, Brenda Jetelina and husband, Randall; nephew, Taylor Jetelina and wife, Kymber; niece, Haley Jetelina; and a host of other loving family members and friends. He was predeceased by his parents.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) or SPCA of Texas (www.spca.org).