John R McRay

Dr. John Robert McRay, born on December 17, 1931 in Holdenville, Oklahoma, passed into the arms of God at his home surrounded by his family on August 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. John (known with much affection by his childhood family as Hank, by his students and colleagues as Doc, and by his adoring grandchildren as Pooh) is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Annette Jackson McRay. He is survived also by his sons and their wives, Rob & Judy McRay, David & Joanie McRay, and Barrett & Sydney McRay; by his brother, Tom McRay; and by 10 adoring grandchildren and spouses (Melanie & Ryan Sutton, Zack McRay, Jonathan McRay, Michael & Brittany McRay, Anna McRay, Mitchel McRay, Matthew McRay, and Skyler McRay) and 2 great grandsons (Jackson and Matthew Sutton).

His final two days were spent with these family members gathered around his bedside. Together they shared stories of his life and his overwhelming love for each of them. John’s oldest son Rob commented: “We laughed till it hurt. We cried till we felt we could not cry anymore...then we cried again. We remembered much more together than we could have remembered alone. We heard the poetry that inspired his love. We sang the songs that expressed his devotion. We read the Scriptures that shaped his faith. We celebrated a life that was well-lived. We grieved the loss of a life deeply loved. We cursed the disease that robbed him and us of his final years with us. We said goodbye to a husband of six decades and a father and grandfather who taught us all to live and love.”

Friday morning the time of his departure came. He has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. We have released him to his eternal rest to await the Day when he will exchange the Old Rugged Cross for a crown.

Dr. McRay retired as Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Archaeology at Wheaton College. During his career, he was a preacher, author, and teacher, serving on the faculty of Wheaton College, MTSU, Lipscomb University, and Harding University.

A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, Aug. 26, at 2:00 pm at the Donelson Church of Christ, 2706 Old Lebanon Rd., Nashville, TN 37214. A reception will follow at the church. There will be a separate private burial for the family. Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home | Nashville Memorial Park is handling arrangements, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, 615-383-4754. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/) and Alive Hospice (https://www.alivehospice.org/).