Services for Edsel Ray Lively 78, of Grapeland will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Chapel, Grapeland with Bro. Will Yates and Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Bob Moehring officiating. Burial will follow in Livelyville Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster. Mr. Lively died Tuesday at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. He was born November 9, 1937 in Grapeland to Jessie Orville Lively and Anna Mason Craig. Mr. Lively lived most of his life in Grapeland and graduated from Grapeland High School. While in Grapeland he had a truck farm and raised peas, tomatoes, watermelons, turnip greens and numerous other vegetables. He shared with his wife of 55 years the art of shelling and selling peas and the vegetables that was raised on his farm. Mr. Lively was an avid hunter and fisherman and shared many camping and fishing trips, bass tournaments with his wife in the bass club, Just the 2 of Us. Mr. Lively prior to settling back in Grapeland retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, discharged then reenlisted into the U.S. Army where he served our country for 20 plus years. During his time in the service he was in the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Division, a soldier of the Special Forces green beret, he served in numerous countries during his time in the service. Those included Okinawa, Japan, Germany. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served two tours in that country. His last overseas tour was served in Turkey. He always was a proud soldier and said if he could he would go back and serve again. Some of his medals earned in those 24 plus years included, National Defense Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Bronze 5 Loops, Parachutist Badge, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Marksman (Carbine Bar), Expert Rifle, Meritorious Unit Citation 2d Award, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Star and numerous other medals. Mr. Lively was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Obie Allen and brother Joe Ed Lively. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Lively of Grapeland, his sons, Kenneth Ray Lively and wife Leslie of Grapeland, Douglas Lively and wife Belinda of Lawton, OK., daughters, Lana Boren and husband Matt of Center, and Laurie Chandler of Jasper, sisters, Yvonne Powers and husband Robert of Pollok, Ruby Nolley and husband Stephen of Palestine and Lenora Luce and husband Billy of Palestine, sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Travis Lively, Jerid Eidson, Cason Chandler, Chase Chandler, Justin (J.J.) Jones and Travis Fort. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Powers, Jeff Luce, Stewart Luce and Tony Moss. Condolence calls will be received from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home Chapel in Grapeland. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to the Wounded Warriors or to the local Vietnam Veterans Association or a charity of choice.