Charles Ray Courtney

Charles Ray Courtney, age 63 of Gatesville, passed away on January 7, 2025. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Gatesville Church of Christ. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Rosemound Cemetery in Waco. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10 at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Charles Ray Courtney was born May 21, 1961, in Waco, Texas to Jimmy and Hilda Courtney. He was the oldest of his siblings with three younger sisters, Vickie, Penny and Jennifer. 

Charles graduated from Connally High School in 1979. He then went on to attend Texas State Technical College and earned his associate’s degree in engineering sciences. Charles worked at Hercules in McGregor where he met the love of his life, Karen, who he married July 26, 1986. They made Gatesville, Texas their home in 1988 where they raised their children, Kassi and Barton. In 1994, Charles continued his career at Raytheon, now L3 Harris, where he would dedicate 30 years of hard work. 

Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of Gatesville Church of Christ. 

Charles loved the outdoors and especially loved hunting and fishing. He spent time bass fishing in local clubs around Waco and would later share his love for the outdoors with his son, Barton. His love for fishing would eventually migrate to the Texas coast. Port Aransas became a cherished place for the Courtney family. Many special memories were made year after year on the coast. When the fish weren’t being caught, you were sure to catch Charles in his favorite chair cheering on his beloved Baylor Bears.

In 2019, Charles and Karen acquired the names Grumps and Gram with the birth of their first grandchild, Charleigh Rae Phillips. Grumps and Charleigh could be found sneaking away on Saturday mornings to get a donut or two together. Parker Paige Phillips and Baylor Ray Courtney would soon be added to the family. Being Grumps brought Charles so much joy and he cherished every moment with his grandchildren. 

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Penny Wade and Jennifer McKinney.

Charles is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen Courtney; daughter Kassi Phillips and husband, Seth; son Barton Courtney and wife, Mikayla; grandchildren, Charleigh, Parker and Baylor; sister, Vickie Yarbrough and husband, Allan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Gatesville Church of Christ, 2417 E Main St, Gatesville, TX 76528.