Dad had just turned 67 years old when he died Friday, October 14, 2011at the VA Palliative Care Unit in Pineville, surrounded by loved ones after his long battle with cancer.
from his obit:
"James was preceded in death by his parents, James Ray and Mildred Bordelon Ray, and one brother, Donald Ray. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mandy Price Ray, two sons John Michael Ray and his wife Melisa of Saugus, CA and James Edward Ray, II and his wife Tina of Lafayette, four granddaughters Abigail Ray, Sydney Ray, Lillian Ray and Caitlyn Collela, his sister Margaret Ray Roan and her husband Jerry of Alexandria, and his brother John Curtis Ray and Harri Vanahala of Washington, DC.
He grew up in Alexandria and graduated from Bolton High School in 1962 then attended Northwestern State University on a gymnastic scholarship. He served in Vietnam with the Army Corp of Engineers, returning to Alexandria in 1968. A terminal manager for 13 years at Red Ball Motor Freight, James worked there until its closure. He spent the rest of his career until retired from Hixson Brothers, comforting families in their time of loss, after 26 years in 2010.
After seeing Mandy through the window at K-Dixie in 1968, James was instantly smitten. He met and married his one true love soon thereafter. A devoted husband and father, James and Mandy moved to Ball with their sons in 1978. James was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and led his sons as Scoutmaster in Boy Scout Troop 23 for many years. James loved his hometown of Ball and even designed the town's seal and flag while recuperating from a battle with cancer. In 1999, James became a Grandfather for the first time and took on his most beloved role "Grump". His love for his granddaughters fueled a passion for photography and genealogy. James left a behind a legacy of the past tempered with photographs of the present determined to leave his wife, his sons, his granddaughters and his family a monument to their futures. He will be so greatly missed."
I hope to fill this space with photos, videos and memories of him.
Jamie
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