Ray was our special son, brother and friend to those who knew him. He had obstacles every day of his life to overcome because of his disabilities, but he didn’t let them hinder him from being determined to live with them and lead as independent a life as possible.

Ray graduated from high school in 1983 from Lake View High School by being a part of the Special Assistance programs at South Oaks. Ray through the Concho Valley Center for Human Advancement and their programs for the handicapped, allowed him to lead a more fulfilled life. This gave his life purpose and a sense of direction. Ray, known for his friendly nature by all, had a great love for life. He looked forward to what each new day would bring and met all challenges with his determination to make the best of any situation. He truly gave his all to everything. His courage is something all admired. We could all be so strong. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Alma Faye Jackson in 1963; by his father, Robert D. Jackson in 1977; his grandfather, Ray L. Hopkins, whom he was named after, in 1978; and his grandmother, Mildred F. Driskill Jackson-Mennis, in 1986.

Ray is survived by his parents, Roger L. and Alma F. Kennedy; his brother, Army Sergeant First Class Eric H. Jackson and his wife, Army Staff Sergeant Jean M. Jackson, of Butte, Mont.; a brother, Cristopher Michael of Pasadena, Calif.; a sister, Cathy K. Kennedy Stripling of Fayette, Ala.; three nephews, Travis L. Cowart, Hunter L. Kennedy and Sean M. Couture; two nieces, Haylee S. Newton and Annette M. Couture; his uncles and aunts, Bill and Kim Hopkins of Kingston, Mo., Mary Ann and Greg Garman, George Hopkins of Laramie, Wyo., Martha Craven of Leiter, Wyo., and Cheryl Jackson Reed-Webster of Cheyenne, Wyo.; cousins, Patricia Burkholder of Greeley, Colo., and Jerry Reed of Cheyenne, Wyo., Kurt, Kellie, Susan, Casey and Jill Craven, Cory and Brandon Hopkins of Kingston, Mo., Jim and Joe Hopkins, and Jason and Candace Garman of Laramie, Wyo. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Mary D. Hopkins of Chillicothe, Mo.; grandfather, Arnold Kennedy of San Angelo; and uncle and aunt, Ira and Rita Mullins of San Angelo.

Pallbearers are Eric Jackson, Todd Stone, Ira Mullins, Mark Myers, Elzy Davis, Randy Herndon and Al Arbuckle.

Church service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at North Chadbourne Church of Christ with the Rev. Frank Berthold officiating.