Alton Ray Jalufka

Alton Ray Jalufka, the second child of Adolph and Barbara (Pokluda) Jalufka, was born
October 20, 1927, in the Nopal Community in DeWitt County. He died in Houston, Tx on
September 11, 2018.
Alton Ray attended Clear Creek country school and was drafted into the Army in 1946
during his senior year at Yorktown High School. Returning home from the Army, Alton Ray
worked construction in San Antonio before beginning a 23 year career in the oil field.
Not unlike many others lacking toys, Alton Ray liked to tell of making little wagons from
old peach cans he hitched to horney toads which probably explains his lifelong ability to
improvise solutions to life’s little problems. He was a devoted father, a devoted husband and
a devoted friend.
In 1952 he married Earlen Mary Koopmann, the love of his life for the past 66 years.
Always providing for his family, Ray worked hard his entire life. After leaving the oil field he
worked for Brown and Root 17 years, commuting daily to Ingleside, while keeping one foot
planted on the farm and ranch activities he so loved growing up. Retirement meant he could
devote all his time to his land and cattle, driving and checking on them at least two, three,
four times a day.
Alton Ray was a member of the VFW Post 8136 and served as Post Commander. He was
also a member of Gruenau Turn and Schuetzen Verein, Gruenau Herman Sons and St.Paul
Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his spouse and son, Kirby Ray. He was preceded in death by his parents
and daughters, Kori and Kari, brother, Henry, and sister, JoAnn (Edgar) Schmiedlin.
Pallbearers will be Gary Butler, John, Ralph and Walter Koopmann, Jerry Schmiedlin and
Wayland Seifert.
Visitation will be Saturday September 15th from 5 to 7 pm and Funeral services will be
Sunday, September 16th, at 2pm at Massey Funeral Home.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.masseyfh.com

Memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Yorktown, Texas 361-564-2900

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