A. Ray "Coach" Utley

A. Ray "Coach" Utley passed away on August 9, 2026, his 90th birthday, twenty days after Gail, his wife of seventy years. He embodied the qualities you would want every young person to emulate; love, commitment, perseverance, and an extraordinary work ethic. He lived an open profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and he spurred countless others along their own faith journeys.

Ray was born August 9, 1936, to William and Mamie Lee Utley on a small farm in the 16th Section community of Lonoke County, Arkansas. He and his twin sister, Faye, along with their older sister, Margie, spent their childhood on that farm surrounded by close relatives. He worked hard growing up, picking strawberries and doing the endless chores of a working farm. His work ethic developed early, and so did his competitive streak. As a young teen, hide-and-seek on horseback through the woods and fields was a favorite pastime; to gain an edge, Ray trained his horse to lie down on command.

At Cabot High School, Ray played football and basketball and ran track. In 1953 he ran on the mile relay team that won the state championship setting a state record. It was during those years that he met Gail, who would become the love of his life. Ray graduated in 1954 and continued his education on scholarship at Ouachita Baptist University, where he lettered all four years in football and track and served as captain of the football team in 1957. From 1955 to 1958 he was undefeated in the 880-yard dash, and in 1957 he anchored the OBU mile relay team that set a conference record and won the AIC Championship with a new state record. He served as president of Sigma Alpha Sigma, and in 1958 he received the Emo Chaney Award for excellent character and all-around athletic ability. He graduated from Ouachita that same year.

In July 1956, Ray and Gail eloped to Mississippi, beginning a marriage that would last seventy years. Through that first year, Ray finished his Bachelor of Arts degree while hitchhiking back and forth between Arkadelphia and Cabot to see his young wife on the weekends.

After graduation, Ray was hired at Dial Junior High in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as a science teacher and assistant coach for track and football, at a starting salary of $3,800. In 1959, he and Gail welcomed their daughter, Lisa. Pine Bluff High School hired Ray as an assistant coach in 1962, and the Zebras won back-to-back state championships in 1962 and 1963. In 1963, Ray and Gail added to their family with the birth of their son, Lee. Ray completed his master's degree at Arkansas State Teachers College in 1965 and was promoted to head coach of the Zebras that same year. During his years in Pine Bluff, he also served in the United States Air Force Reserve.

In 1967, Ray moved the family to Dallas, Texas, to advance his coaching career as an assistant at Southern Methodist University. He later became defensive coordinator and remained at SMU through 1972; during that stretch the Mustangs upset Oklahoma 28–27 in the 1968 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. Ray commanded the highest regard and respect from his players. His influence, and everything he stood for, was a light in their eyes. For those who would stay the course, he made them champions; on and off the field.

In 1972, the family relocated to Friendswood, Texas, when Ray felt called to move in a different direction and leave coaching altogether. He went to work for the family of a former SMU player, becoming president of H&H Music Co. in Houston, and during those years he also owned a Honda motorcycle dealership in Galveston. Ray and Gail would frequently be seen riding their motorcycles side-by-side around town. During this time, another former player drew him into his family's Christian-based Kanakuk Camp, where Ray served as a summer counselor. The camp's "I'm Third" philosophy, God first, others second, I'm third, became the measure he held his own life to from then on.

In 1982, Ray changed course once more, and again the door was opened by a former player; this time into commercial real estate and land acquisition. He moved his family back to Dallas to join a leading firm owned by an old SMU player, turned lifelong friend. He later formed his own company before finishing his career at another prominent Dallas commercial firm. The same integrity, dedication, and mental agility that made him a good coach made him a formidable negotiator — and put him back in the position he loved best, mentoring the young interns who worked under him just as he had once mentored his players.

Never content to only do one thing at a time in Dallas, Ray stayed active and maintained memberships in youth-centered organizations. He served on the board of Hendrick Academy of Honor Foundation, chaired the Town North YMCA, belonged to the Century Club, and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was recognized for Dedicated Leadership, Fundraising Efforts, and Outstanding Achievement, and was named Volunteer of the Year. Ray made a difference in the lives of others both professionally and personally, and his faith continued to deepen through the Bent Tree Bible study and Roaring Lambs.

In 2009, Ray semi-retired and moved with Gail to be near their children and grandchildren. In May 2015 he closed his "Last Dance" deal and retired once and for all.

As proud as he was of his careers, Ray was prouder still of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he never missed a chance to share their accomplishments. In his spare time, he also kept a small farm outside Dallas, where he raised cattle and kept a horse; six decades on from the Lonoke County farm where he grew up. He was also an outdoor sportsman, often found bird hunting with his faithful dog Sadie beside him; on point, or doing what she did best, retrieving. He was an avid golfer who played in tournaments and, more often, alongside Gail, also counting a hole-in-one among his many accomplishments. He loved tennis too, again especially with Gail. And, as would be expected, Ray was a die-hard sports fan, particularly of the Cowboys and the Rangers.

To the end, Ray made regular phone calls to former players and mentees, some going all the way back to his junior high coaching days. The loyalty and trust of those men, across every walk of life and every era, is the clearest evidence of his sincerity and whole-heartedness.

Ray leaves us knowing God's glory awaits him in heaven, along with his beloved Gail. He often said, "Everything that I've accomplished in life is a consequence of having Gail by my side. She is the wind beneath my wings."

Ray is survived by his daughter, Lisa Harvey; his son, Lee Utley, and his wife, Kristin; his six grandsons and their spouses and partners, Kyle (Carmen) Utley, Eric Utley (Jelana Marquez), Mark Utley, Austin (Brittany) King, Marshall (Leslie) King, and Christopher (Ashley) King; and his four great-grandchildren, Everly, Matthew, Emma, and Leighton.

Ray was a man of faith and a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He was a born leader who left behind an incredible legacy.

A graveside service will be held at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Cabot, Arkansas, on August 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM, where he will be laid to rest.

The family requests no flowers, but that donations be made to the Roaring Lambs at roaringlambs.org/donate in Ray’s honor.

A memorial service will be held in Dallas at a later date. Online guest book at www.smithfamilycares.com