Charles Raymond "Ray" Mize, 86, of Nacogdoches, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017, in Nacogdoches. He was born on July 6, 1930, in Nacogdoches, the son of William Allen "W.A." Mize and Almeda Moon Mize. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017, at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches with Dr. Jeff McDonald officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Laird Funeral Home of Nacogdoches. On August 18, 1973, Ray married Gayla Johnson Mize, who brought to the marriage two children, Lysa and Jimmy, whom Ray adopted and who both are leaders in the Nacogdoches Community in the fields of education and banking. Ray lost his wife Gayla on February 22, 2009. He attended elementary through 12th grade at the Nacogdoches Demonstration School on the SFASU campus. Continuing at Stephen F. Austin State University, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1950 and remained an avid Lumberjack fan. Ray also served as a sergeant in the U.S. National Guard. Agriculture was of great importance to both Ray and his father, W.A. His lifetime was spent self-employed in the Nacogdoches cattle ranching field and has generously hosted numerous FFA Field Days. For almost 40 years, he has served on the Soil and Water Conservation Board and was an original founder on the Lake Naconiche Board. Perhaps his most valued hometown legacy, however, was joining forces with his wife, Gayla, to beautify Nacogdoches through support of public gardens. In the spring of 2011, this agricultural enthusiast and community leader was presented the Pete Smith Agricultural Pioneer award. As a result of Ray and Gayla’s work, thousands of visitors join local residents in the delight of beautiful bursts of color each spring, coupled with walking paths through shady green gardens. As Gayla laid a foundation of beautifying historic Nacogdoches, Ray proved to be her chief labor provider. Ray and Gayla supported his cousin Dorothy Wisely in creating the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden with SFASU. After his beloved wife passed away, Ray proudly established the Gayla Mize Garden through SFASU. Charles Ray Mize was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches and enjoyed membership in the Rotary Club of Nacogdoches. Ray took great satisfaction in the accomplishments of his daughter Lysa Hagan and husband, Bill, as well as his son Jimmy Mize and wife Lisa. He was a loving grandfather to Ryan Cupit and his wife Jamie, Claire Want and her husband Jeremy, Spenser Gaston, Charles Mize, as well as his three great grandchildren. His faithful employees, Raul Vega and Margarito Vega, worked beside him for almost five decades and his caregivers, Kisha, Michelle, Chrissy, Tiffany, and Lisa have provided him tremendous support and freedom over the last years of his life. Pallbearers will be Ryan Cupit, Spenser Gaston, Charles Mize, Sid Abernathy, Margarito Vega, Raul Vega, Tony Dawson, and Gary Atkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Campbell Cox, Morris Muckleroy, Johnny Rudisill, Tip Smith and Bill Teague. Memorial donations can be sent to: Gayla Mize Garden, PO Box 6092 SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962. The family of Mr. Mize is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To convey condolences and to sign an online register please visit www.lairdfh.net.