Ray Robert Casanover

Ray Casanover, age 76 of Gatesville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family on October 15, 2021 at Coryell Health in Gatesville. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2021 at Scott’s Funeral Home. Ray Robert Casanover was born in Houston on April 23, 1945. Ray was one of seven children born to Wilton Casanover and Rosalie Kridner Casanover of Houston. Ray attended school at Sam Houston, until he was drafted into the Army on October 28, 1965. He went on to serve in the Vietnam War, until his honorable discharge on August 3, 1967. During his service he earned several medals including the National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, Expert Rifle M14, Sharpshooter Pistol 45, and many others. After his service, Ray continued his education and went on to receive his Master Electricians License. He worked for several companies both on and off shore as a Maintenance Electrician. On June 27, 1975, he married the Love of his Life, Susan Jeanette Smallwood. In 1985, Ray and his family moved to Gatesville and started City Electric and Supply and The Tater Patch Family Restaurant. After serving the Gatesville community for four years as a business owner, Ray went to work for TDCJ at the Hilltop Unit, as a Master Electrician and Area Maintenance Electrician. He retired from TDCJ in 2001 and dedicated the rest of his life to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Ray was a wonderful story teller, a natural comedian, an amazing teacher and an all-around “Jack of All Trades”. Ray was an avid player of Luck, he also enjoyed horse racing, casinos, bingo, Jacks or better and of course his scratch offs. He also loved to teach others how to play poker, but it is suspected that he may have let people win. Ray loved working with his hands and loved making home improvements, he was also at home in the kitchen and made chicken fried steak and pecan pie that were matched by none. He also enjoyed fishing, watching “Let’s Make a Deal”, “MASH” and just sitting for hours on the back porch sharing tales from the “Good Ole Days”. Ray was preceded in death by his siblings, Wilton (Billy), Thomas (Tommy), Charles, Cecil, Joyce Ward, and his wife, Susan Casanover. Ray is survived by his sister, Mary Wilson of Splendora; daughter, Virginia Renee James of Round Rock; sons, Trey Casanover and wife, Terri of Eagletown, Oklahoma, Patrick Casanover and wife, Frances of Gatesville; five grandchildren, Tyler, Tate, Joshua, Logan and Braelynn; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Those who wish to remember Ray in a special way, the family is requesting in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Gatesville, 2533 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.