Ray Whiteside

Lonnie Ray Whiteside passed away on December 24, 2022, at the age of 92. He was a treasured husband, loving father, doting grandfather, caring educator, brother, and friend.

Ray was born on May 20, 1930, in Childress, Texas to William Cager and Eula (Austin) Whiteside. He was the middle child out of five children. Ray was a lifelong believer in education and spent most of his life in academia. The son of a Texas panhandle cotton farmer, Ray learned early on that he preferred expanding his mind through books to his responsibilities on the farm. Proving this point, he graduated from Kirkland High School as their Valedictorian in 1947. From there he went on to attend Abilene Christian College, graduating in 1953 summa cum laude with a degree in Education. He was also a member of Alpha Chi.

While pursuing his undergrad at ACC, Ray also worked with the bus ministry at North Park Church of Christ. This is where he met his British-born future wife, Betty Tomkins. A dear friend of Betty's pointed towards Ray and said, "That's the man you're going to marry." And as they say, the rest is history. They married in 1951 and remained so until her death in 2018. Several months after Ray completed his bachelor’s degree, he entered the US Army and served his time there as a neuropsychiatric technician.

Ray's roots at Abilene Christian University ran very deep. He received his master’s degree (1957 Education) there along with being employed at ACU for decades to come. His many positions included: Assistant Registrar ('55-'61), Director of Data Processing ('65-'67), Director of Institutional Studies, as well as a short stent as manager of the campus grill (1960).  Ray went on to receive his doctorate in Educational Psychology and Human Development from the University of Texas in 1964. He then returned to ACC and over the next several decades not only taught Psychology classes but also spent some time as Head of the Psychology/Sociology/Testing & Counseling Department. During his professional years, Ray had been a member of the Texas Academy of Science, the Southwest Psychological Association, as well as the American Psychological Association. Occasionally he would teach Statistics classes out at Dyess Air Force Base. He retired from Abilene Christian University after a 44-year career.

In his spare time, Ray could typically be found quietly reading the local paper or a non-fiction book. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, music, amusement parks and making his students laugh when they very least expected it. Ray also took much pleasure in his many European adventures with Betty and their friends.

A quiet, loving, faithful servant and devoted follower of Christ, Ray had been a member of the University Church of Christ for over 50 years, where he had also been an Elder. His gift was listening to those in need.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Betty of London, England, brothers W.C. Whiteside and Don Whiteside, and sister Eunice Funderburk. He is survived by his daughters Melanie Estes of Abilene, Denise Pevehouse and husband Todd of Dallas, sister Ruby Simms of Sanger, grandchildren Diehlman Estes, Travis Estes, and Alexandra Pevehouse, as well as various family members and friends.

The family extends their greatest gratitude to Ray's care team toward the end of his life: Petra Soliz (Touching Hearts at Home), Lindsey Goodman and Chaplin Jim Hargrove (Alpha Omega Hospice), and many other caregivers at The Oaks at Radford Hills.

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Piersall Funeral Directors on Friday, January 13th. A private graveside service will be performed on Saturday, January 14th. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able instead donate to either the Christian Service Center or Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc., both located in Abilene.