Earnest Ray Chaney

Earnest Ray Chaney, 85, of Shreveport, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on June 2, 2023. He was born on June 17, 1937 in Bossier City, Louisiana to Meredith “Med” Bunyan Chaney and Hazel Irene Macklin Chaney.

A graveside service honoring the life of Ray will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 located at Forest Park East Cemetery-3700 St Vincent Ave, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Olline Barney Chaney. Left to cherish his memory include his son, Earnest Ray Chaney, Jr. of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and grandchild, Ace René Chaney of Portland, Tennessee.

Ray attended Bossier Elementary, Bossier High School, and Louisiana Tech. He played coronet in the Bossier High School marching band, winning first place nationally and playing in New York City. He studied Pre-Med for 1 1/2 years at Louisiana Tech. After school, Ray proudly served in the United States Army-95^th Regiment 4^th Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas from 1960 to 1962 and Army Reserve until 1967. Ray achieved the Expert (Rifle) Marksmanship level of proficiency in the United States Army. He married on his birthday June 17, 1961 to Ruth Olline Barney Chaney. He was a member of the Bossier City Lions Club. For 22 years, Ray worked for Texas Eastern oil and gas. He was a Senior Buyer for the City of Shreveport Purchasing Department for 22 years, retiring in 2001. He also worked for the Louisiana State Fair for 25 years. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling with the Texas Eastern Bowling League and coaching his son’s little league baseball team and his wife’s softball team. Ray and Olline loved hiking and staying at Mather Lodge at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. They attended Open Range Church and Shreveport Community Church.

Ray had many great qualities including telling jokes to make people laugh, being an excellent pool player, working in his yard and taking care of his cats, and teaching Sunday School and singing in a gospel quartet at church. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. Ray Chaney, you were loved by so many. Dad, I miss you and Mama so much. I’m proud to call you Dad. Thank you for making all our lives fun and exciting. We all love you!  ERC Jr