Cpl. Ray's Coffee

ANDREWS For the longest time, just hearing their slain son’s name left them in tears.

And while Jerry and Lonna Bevel are still coping with the death of their son, Cpl. Ray Bevel, they now hear his name every day — on their terms.

“It was hard to say or hear Ray’s name right after the funeral, but the shop has helped us out a lot,” she said. “We went from not being able to hear his name to having to see it and say it every day.”

The Andrews couple has opened a coffee shop bearing the name of their son who was killed by an improvised explosive device April 21, 2007, in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“We were looking for a way to memorialize Ray and decided we want to open up a coffee shop,” Lonna Bevel said. “I’m a huge coffee drinker. There’s a mandatory stop to Starbucks almost every time I’m in Odessa.”

Combining Lonna Bevel’s love of her slain stepson, Cpl. Ray Bevel, and her java vice, Cpl. Ray’s Coffee was born.

“It was all her idea — I just went with it,” Jerry Bevel, Ray Bevel’s father, said. “We wanted to do some memorial, and I wasn’t sure since Ray didn’t drink coffee. It’s turned out nice though.”

And it’s had a healing effect on the couple. A far cry from not being able to say his name, the couple hears and thinks about their son with nearly every drink ordered.

“Our favorite drink is the ‘Ray Ray’s Mocha,’ ” Lonna Bevel said. “His nickname was ‘Ray Ray,’ and we just had to name a drink after him.”

Jerry Bevel said he’s often reminded of those who stood along Main Street when his son’s body was brought back to Andrews and during his funeral procession.

He said the coffee shop was a way to give back to everybody who gave their time to salute Andrews’ fallen son.

“They were so great to us during everything — they supported us,” he said. “They were so good to us, so we’re trying to do something in return.”

Collette Hackler, one of the many Andrews residents who held an American flag and lined the streets for Cpl. Bevel, said she believed the coffee shop was meant to happen.

“They say God makes something good out of a bad situation,” she said. “This coffee shop is something that everybody is able to enjoy — but it took a tragedy like Ray dying for it to happen.”

And it’s something the whole town can gather around, she said.

“I always drove to Odessa for Starbucks, but this stuff is just as good,” she said. “This is already Andrews’ favorite spot.”

Cpl. Ray’s Coffee is at 801 N. Main St. in Andrews and serves a variety of coffees, lattes and smoothies.

It is open:

>> 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

>> 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

>> 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

It’s closed Sundays.

Call 523-2434 for advanced orders and more details.

>> Cpl. Ray’s Coffee is already open for business, but there will be a grand opening Feb. 19.