Richard Paul McCray, Sr, known to his family and close community friends, as "Dick," was born to the proud parents of Henry and Billie Jean McCray on April 18, 1960, in Dallas, Texas.

Richard was baptized in the Holy Spirit and accepted Christ at an early age at the Church of the Living God on Bayside. As an adolescent and young adult, he was a member of the Georgia Ann Hardeman Choir, and participated in many church activities. He was a faithful member at New Life Fellowship in Arlington, Texas, under the pasturage of Dr. Maurice Pugh. He served faithfully on the audio video ministry team he always invited his family and friends to worship with him.

In high school, Richard loved and participated in basketball and tennis. He received his formal education and academic accolades in the Dallas Independent School District. He graduated from Sunset High School in 1978. As an aspiring young man, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1979 where he served 9 years.

Early in his career, Richard was a licensed paralegal to which he was employed by law firms for several years. He also worked for Lockheed Martin as an information technologist specialist for 10 years. Presently, Richard was employed at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Dallas, as an information technologist specialist. He was a smart, respectful, driven, hard worker who was passionate about his work. He loved to help the customer even when they just showed up without a work order. He was close to many in the office and even had nicknames for them. Richard loved to dress nice for work, and welcomed his office family to all his themed parties.

Richard was known for gathering family and friends with his holiday and themed parties. He loved serving others through food with his smoked meats from his awesome grill, mean chili beans and desserts! He was also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and proudly decorated a room in his lovely home to enjoy the games.

Richard peacefully drifted into eternal rest on the evening of November 20, 2017, surrounded by his children, family and friends. It was difficult to let him go, but God allowed his mother, Billie Jean McCray; his brother, Henry Earl McCray; his two sisters, Susan Lynn McCray and Rose Mary McCray; and his grandparents, Agnes and Austin McCray and Rosa Lee Harris to meet Richard at the Pearly Gates of Heaven to welcome him home!

Those left to cherish Richard's precious memories and continue his legacy:
father, Henry McCray; daughter, Latoya Hernandez; son-in-law, Abel Hernandez, sons, Richard Paul McCray Jr. (RJ), Jaylen McCray, Chris Martin, Vincent Coleman and Jeremy Martin; sisters, Patricia Jeanette Holleman, Beverly Yvonne McCray and Doris Renel Maloy; brothers, David Wayne McCray and Reginald Gerard McCray; brother-in-law, Rev. Ronny W. Maloy; extended siblings (cousins), Mitchell Harris, Alvin Clark Jr., Lerosa Harris and Onita Gardner and Anthony Harris; aunts, Mary Alice Harris, Marshall Williams and Betty Harris; beautiful grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and other hosts of family and friends. Richard was grateful for his special relationship with his close friends, Anthony and Chandra Burkes.