Ray Allen Bangle, Sr

Mr. Ray Bangle, Sr., 88, of Millingport Rd. Albemarle, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at his residence. A celebration of his life will begin at noon Friday, Jan. 27, at Salem United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Steve Combs. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The Bangle family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11 a.m. A Cabarrus County native, Ray was born Nov. 15, 1928, to Derotha R. Bangle and Wilma Cruse Bangle. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Joan Harwood Bangle, who died in March 2015. Ray was a member of the men’s Sunday school class at Salem and had served his country as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army for two years. A retired truck driver with many years service, he drove for Brady Lumber Co. of Gold Hill, Johnson Motor Lines, Yellow Freight, Smith Novelty and Hess. When not behind the wheel, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, mowing the yard and anything NASCAR. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, and he never met a stranger. He is survived by a son, Ray Bangle, Jr., and wife, Teresa; two daughters, Judy B. Yandle and Sherry B. Hutchins; five grandchildren, Rachel and John Bangle, Jonathan and Garrett Hutchins, and Jennifer Slone and husband, Eric; and two great-grandchildren, Erika and Jacob Slone. Memorial contributions may be directed to Community Home Care and Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Rd., Troy, NC 27371.