Arthur Ray was born in Houston on Aug. 24, 1941, the son of Arthur & Wilma (Gerstenberg) Beken. He was the husband of Karen (Cook) Beken. They were married on Aug. 31, 1962, in Eagle Lake, Texas.

Arthur Ray spent his life as a livestock dealer and cattle rancher.

He was a member of Weimar United Church.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years. Karen (Cook) Beken; son, Bradley Scott Beken of Weimar and his son Tim Beken (Olivia Fennig); daughter, Kristen Baumbach and husband, Russell, of Weimar and their son, Tyler Baumbach (fiancé Madi Bexley) and their daughter, Sloan Bexley Baumbach and daughter, Kendall Foster and husband Garrett and their son, Henry Levi Foster and daughter, Kimberly Crow and husband, Robert of Houston and their daughters, Kate Crow and Kirby Crow; sister-in-law, Pat Cook and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arthur Ray was preceded in death by his grandson Case Bradley Beken, parents, two sisters and their spouses, Aurra Dee (Robert) Skeete and Willyne (Donald Ray) Dunn; in-laws, Robert L. and Ada (Thomas) Cook; brothers- in-laws, David (Myrna) Cook and Bob Cook, Jr.

Funeral services are scheduled at Weimar United Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, followed by burial at Weimar Masonic Cemetery.

Family visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.

Special thanks to Youens and Duchicela Clinic and the team at 1st Texas Home Health. The family appreciates the friends and relatives in the Weimar and New Bielau area who assisted him in many ways through the years.

Pallbearers are his grandchildren: Tyler Baumbach, Madi Bexley, Kendall & Garrett Foster, Tim Beken, Olivia Fennig, Kate Crow and Kirby Crow.

Honorary Pallbearers are Henry Beken, John Brett, Ewald Friedrich, Jr., Nathan Fuchs, Wilfred Fuchs, Albaro Gallegos, Donald Helmcamp, Fred Hilscher, Jim Hilscher, Howard Hoegemeyer, Gerald Kosler, Jason Needham, Jed Skeete, Jim Stech, Billy Bob Strunk and Butch Strunk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Arthur Ray’s memory to Weimar United Church, P.O. Box 188, Weimar, TX 78962, Case Beken Weimar FFA Memorial Scholarship, c/o Peggy G., Hill Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 157, Weimar, TX 78962, or Case Beken Scholarship Fund, c/o Colorado County Fair Association (Memo: Case Beken), P.O. Box 506, Columbus, TX 78934.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Henneke Funeral Home, 1515 Montezuma St., Columbus, TX 78934.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.