05/26/2026
Ray Dean Mena, 80 years old, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, at his residence in Texarkana, Texas.
His wishes were to be cremated, and no services are planned due to family illnesses.
He was born March 27,1946 in Noble, Louisiana to Sidney Mena and Emma (Paddie) Mena. He was the 9th boy in a family of thirteen. In 1951, our family moved to Center, Texas on a farm with sandy dirt roads where grass stickers grew everywhere. As a young boy, Ray roamed and ran in the fields and woods. He would always say, “The grass-burrs would just wilt when they saw him running.”
Ray graduated in 1964 from Center High School where he was active in football, baseball, basketball, track and tennis. He was awarded the R.E. Malone Memorial Award, was on the Round Up staff and a member of the National Honor Society. He went to Stephen F. Austin University where he earned a BS degree and graduated in 1968.
He was accepted at Timpson High School in 1969 until 1977 to teach and coach Junior High football. He also was an assistant football coach and served as head track coach at the High School. He was very successful as the track coach. His 1973 team placed 3rd at State and his 1974 team won the State meet.
In 1978 Ray moved to Texarkana, Texas and successfully taught and helped to coach field and track at Texas High School. His 1982 team was runner-up at the 5A State track meet. Ray semi-retired in 2002 after 8 years’ service at Timpson High and 24 years at Texas High, but he continued part-time at Texas High for a while.
He was an avid sportsman which earned him lots of recognition, admiration respect and friendships. He watched every sport related show on TV and read every sports article. He knew all the teams and how they ranked. He favored the Texas Longhorns.
He loved his God and abundantly loved his family which was mutually reciprocated. He totally enjoyed our good home cooking and probably missed that most when he became homebound. We will truly miss him in ways that not even words can explain. We will always remember his loving personality, his contagious laughter, and the way he would humor us with his funny and outrageous stories. “Sometimes I wish I could rewind back to the old days and press pause… just for a little while.”
His survivors include:
Brother, Lynn Mena – Broaddus
Sisters:
Lucille Mena Jones – Lindale
Jean Mena Walker – Pineland
Margaret Mena Walters – Pineland
Special Mentions:
Jerry Campbell who was like a brother since childhood and stood by Ray during many obstacles in their lifetime.
Billy Ray Kimbro who took Ray to all his doctor appointments and checked on him daily.
Audrey Cooper for her dedicated care after Ray’s heart surgery.
Ravi Sharma who hired him to work at his convenience store and became a very good friend and mentor. Ray would go to work at 4 a.m. to open the store and cook breakfast. Ray was so proud of himself for making the best biscuits in town. I was happy he learned to cook.
Markevin Jerome Thurston a former student/athlete who posted on-line that Ray was “the greatest Tiger Track coach of all time.” The post received 209 comments from former athletes sending us prayers and condolences which is much appreciated and honoring Ray by calling him one-of-a-kind Coach, the best of the best, that he was an “undercover comedian” who saw the good in others and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and athletes he mentored.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Emma Mena; brothers, Monroe Mena, Andrew Mena, Sam Mena, Raymond Vance Mena, Virgle Mena, Eldon Mena, and OB Mena; sister, Thelma Faye Mena Bouchillon; brothers-in-law, Jesse Jones, Jerry Walker, Marshall Walters, and Larry Bouchillon; sisters-in-law, Jewel Mena, Ruth Mena, Frances Mena, Helen Mena, Jeanette Mena, Fran Mena, and Floreen Mena.
If you would like, please consider making a donation in Ray’s name to a charity of your choice.
