Glyndie Ray Brantner

Ray Brantner, of Kosse, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010, at his home in Kosse, surrounded by his family and close friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, December 13, 2010, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Tuesday December 14, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Kosse with Rev. John Montgomery and Bro Jimmy Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at the Kosse City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Beseda, Chad Smith, Todd Freeman, Warren Shields, Robert L. White, and Jared Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, Jacob D. Smith, Cullen Freeman, Carson Freeman, Grady Shields, Wyndie Shields, and dear friends, Danny Nativdad, Jimmy Lynn Truett, Terry Corley, J. W. Miller, and Employees of Hobbs Bonded Fibers. Ray was born May 10, 1945, in Marlin, TX, to Joe Bill and Ethelene (Johnson) Brantner. He grew up in Houston and graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1963. He entered the U. S. Air Force in 1965 during the Vietnam War. Ray was united in marriage with Mary Louise Havard on October 1, 1966 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Houston, and they lived on Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, until he was discharged in 1968. He went to work for General Electric at NASA, and obtained an Associates Degree from South Texas Junior College. Ray and Mary moved to Kosse in 1979, and he was employed by Hobbs Bonded Fibers in Groesbeck and later in Waco. He worked in research, development, quality control, and sales until his retirement in January 2009. Ray was a good Christian man. He loved family barbeques with all the family and friends gathered together. He was a rancher and loved taking care of his cows and horses, and he loved baling hay. In his spare time, he enjoyed going to pawn shops, and was always looking to “make a deal.” And most importantly, he dearly loved his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Ethelene Brantner; brothers, Louie Dean Brantner and Delma Brantner; brothers-in-law, Charles Cundiff and Larry Smith; infant daughter, father-in-law, Grady Havard; and many of his friends. Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Brantner of Kosse; daughters, Sheila Shields and husband Warren of Kosse, and Kimberly Freeman and husband Todd of Kosse; grandchildren, Jacob Smith, Cullen Freeman, Carson Freeman, Grady Shields and Wyndie Shields; his twin sister, Linda Cundiff of Humble; brother, Benny Brantner of Mexia; niece, Angela Jenkins of Humble; sister-in-law, Frances Beseda and husband Robert of Kosse; brother-in-law Joe Havard of Tomball; mother-in-law, Sue Havard of Kosse; and various nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and countless friends. Donations in memory of Ray may be made to Providence Hospice, 107 E. Commerce, Mexia, TX.