John W. Ray

Mr. John W. Ray, age 78, of Murray, died Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Murray Calloway Co. Hospital. He was born October 2, 1932, in Mayfield, KY, to the late John W. and Alma Walker Ray, Sr. He was retired Superintendent of Dawson Springs Independent School District (74-90); Director of Pupil Personnel for Ballard County Schools (68-73); taught Science and Biology at Heath High School (64-68); Chemist at Carbide (56-63). He was a member of the Sinking Spring Baptist Church, Murray, KY.
Mr. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Fay Perkins Ray; son, Bradley Perkins Ray; grandchildren, Sherida Frances Ray and Susan Amey Ray; and great-grandson Cameron Fate Jones; sister, Maida Nell Rowland; and brother Sonny Ray.
Mr. Ray is survived by his wife, Mable Ray of Murray, KY; daughter, Vicki Hayden of Kevil, KY; sons, Kelley Ray of Kevil, KY and Michael Ray of Murray, KY; grandchildren, Jessica Jones Paine of Murray, KY, Richard W. Jones of Berkley, KY, Jon Todd Ray of Paducah, KY, Michael (Chip)Ray, Jr. of Murray, KY, Kaleigh Ray of Murray, KY, Jennifer Hayden of Bardwell, KY, and Nick Hayden of Paducah, KY; sister Shirley Smith of Mayfield, KY; brother, Richard Ray of Mayfield, KY; great-grandchildren, Ru Jones, Marijka Fay Ray, Kolby Hayden, Elliana Jones, Wyatt Paine, Sohie Jones, Darwin Paine, and Nadia Paine.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Sinking Spring Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Kevil, KY. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until funeral hour at the church.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: Dawson Springs Education Foundation, Board of Education, 118 East Arcadia Avenue, Dawson Springs, KY 42408 or Sinking Spring Baptist Church, 4185 Wiswell Road, Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at: www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com