Edward “Wray” Russum of Gatesville, Texas passed away on Wednesday September 23, 2026, in Temple, Texas. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Gatesville Church of Christ. Private interment is scheduled at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

Wray was born at Fort Lewis, Washington on August 31, 1952, to Violet and Thomas Wray Russom. He was raised in Tacoma, Washington until he joined the Army in 1970. He married Suzanne (Suzie) Mealor on December 20, 1976, in Parkland, Washington. During his time in the Army, Wray and Suzie fostered many children. He left the Army in 1986 before welcoming his twin daughters in 1987. He and Suzie settled down in Gatesville a short time later. Wray helped with 4-H and the Ag projects in the local area earning him the nickname of “The Chicken Man”. He was always around to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or share an endless supply of groan-worthy dad jokes—sometimes all three, usually accompanied by the classic oldies music he loved playing around the house. If it were youth fair week, you could always find him in the barn helping whoever yelled “help.” When he helped you do something, he showed you how as well, which really made him special.

Wray is survived by his daughter, Shannon Burrell; brothers, Jim and Jack; and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Suzie; brother, Bill Kennedy; daughter, Thomasina (Tommi) Wray; and a grandson.