Rayford Anderson

Visitation for Preston Rayford Anderson, 76, of Lufkin, will be held on Monday evening, July 3, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carroway Funeral Home. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Anderson was born April 18, 1941 in Lufkin, Texas. He lived in Hudson all his life and graduated from Hudson High School. He was preceded in death by his dear son, Ray Anderson, Jr.; his parents, Euthel and Lucille Anderson; brother, Ricky Anderson; mother-in-law, Bobbie Bailey; and lifelong best friend, G.W. Nugent.

Rayford is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Carolyn; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Steve Flora; brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Sharon Anderson; grandson, Casey Weeks and his daughter, Ayla Ellis; granddaughter and husband, Liz and Jason Christy; great grandchildren, Bailey and Brant Christy; father-in-law, Henry Bailey; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Kay Bailey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Eddy Gresham; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Rayford served several years on the Hudson City Council and worked at the Lufkin Paper Mill for 38 years. His real passion, though, was the gun-smithing he did at his home gun shop.

Rayford spent a great deal of his life raising and training Labrador retrievers, winning multiple field trials along the way. As an exceptional athlete in his youth, he loved watching his grandkids and great grandkids excel at sports; and as an avid and expert hunter and fisherman, you can be sure he was always telling the best huntin’ and fishin’ stories.

He was respected by all, loved by most, and was ever-faithful to his family and to God. He was a wonderful husband, excellent father, and the best “Pepaw” a person could ever ask for. He is loved to the moon and back, and will be missed terribly and remembered fondly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, East Texas Regional Office, 304 N. Raguet St., Suite C, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors