Ray E. Fyke Meets Tragic Death

Friends and relatives were shocked beyond measure on the evening of October 6th when they received a telegram from Buena Vista, Colo., announcing that Ray E. Fyke had been instantly killed in his saw mill there. The news flashed over the telephone and whispered here and there brought sadness to every heart.

The deceased was remembered by people of his home town and community as a handsome golden haired boy who grew up to young manhood among us. Early in life he was converted and joined the Union Baptist Church. He was a boy and man of clean habits, never partaking of strong drink, but clung always to the higher things of life. He lived his religion, his relatives, friends and neighbors realized that not only in name did he bear the title of Christian. "By their works ye shall known them." Those who knew Ray knew him as a Godly man. Not only did he love those near him but he was of a deep patriotic nature, serving in the United States Navy from 1909 to 1913, then again from 1917 to 1919. He also served in the Aviation Department of the Navy from 1919 to 1921.

In the year 1915 he was married to Miss Mae Boatwright of Carrollton. Two children were born who died in infancy. She died July 15, 1917. October 1919 he was married to Miss Georgie Fyke of Maud, Okla., to whom were born a daughter, Mervyn, age 5 and a son 2 years and 4 months, who with their mother survive him. He is the son of Mrs. L. E. Fyke; his sisters, Mrs. Fletcher Wright of Fort Worth, Mrs. T. E. Rawlins of Denton, Mrs. Melton Neely of Carrollton and a brother. O. W. Fyke of Carrollton.

Rays body was laid to rest near the city of Buena Vista, Colo., in the country where he had built a home for his little family and which he had learned to love dearly and new made friends with tender hands and loving hearts made the last sad rites beautiful. Many sweet flowers were  were heaped on this far away grave, where the same dear father who keeps us watches over him till that good day when God shall call, the graves shall be opened and the dead in Christ shall rise, then shall we see him even more beautiful than when we saw him last.  Until then let us wait and pray. We shall see him in the glorified body.

"Peace I leave with your, may peace I give unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

His Cousin
Mrs. Earl Skiles

The following is from the Buena Vista News at Buena Vista. Colo.

Ray E. Fyke met a tragic death when he accidently fell onto the saw in this saw mill.

The citizens of Buena Vista were shocked and grieved last Saturday when they learned that R. E. Fyke met a tragic death while at work in his saw mill, four miles west of town. He was leaning against a bar which gave way and fell against the whirling saw, nearly dismembering his body. He lived only four minutes after the accident.

The deceased was born in Carrollton Texas, Oct 8, 1888. He was married in Chicago, Oct. 21, 1919.

The family came to Buena Vista five years ago and their friends are numbered by the score. Mr. Fyke has been a good citizen and could always be depended upon to ber honest; and upright in all his dealing, never idle, he was always ready to do what his hands found to do. The citizens of Buena Vista feel that they have lost one who would be a credit to any community.

A beautiful but simple service was held at the grave. Rev. Sager offered prayer and read the eighth chapter of Romans. A quartette composed of Mrs. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Patton and F. M. Tonlin sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus,"  "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere."

The deceased leaves a sorrowing wife and two children, Mervyn and G. W., a mother, Mrs. Lillie Fyke, three sisters and one brother all of Dallas county, Texas.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, October 19, 1928
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams