James L. Ray

James L. Ray, 73, of Bloomington, Indiana, died on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, in Bloomington, along with his wife, Marilyn French Ray. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Bert and Ruby Ray. Jim began a career with L.S. Ayres & Co. while in college, remaining with Ayres and earning promotions to various positions in merchandising and management. He was the manager of the Lafayette and Glendale stores and Divisional Merchandise Manager of the Ready-to-Wear Division. With the acquisition of Ayres by The Associated Dry Goods, Jim was promoted to Vice President, Director of Stores for Denver Dry Goods in Denver, Colorado, a division of Associated Dry Goods. He later became Vice President, Director of Stores for Woodward & Lothrop in Washington, D.C. He thereafter became President of the Retail Division of Boat U.S. Following his retirement, Jim relocated to Bloomington, Indiana, where he was an avid sports and jazz fan. He also was an active cyclist and hiker.

Jim was an active participant in and contributor to the Shalom Center, a Bloomington organization that provides food and services for those in need. He also was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother and older brother Billy. He is survived by three sisters, Barbara Osborne, Mary Moreman, and Jane Mayhew, and two brothers, Don and Paul Ray. Jim also is survived by his two sons by Marilyn Ann Kahn Ray: Kent Ray and his wife Lissa Shea of Chicago, Illinois, and Keith and his wife Colleen Ray, of Brussels, Belgium, and six grandchildren, Christian, Brigette, Hannah, Madeleine, Marian, and Colin Ray. Jim’s survivors also include two sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Ray of Bloomington and Vicki Ray of Worthington, Indiana, and three brothers-in-law, Victor Osborne, Ivan Moreman, and Virgil Mayhew, all of Greenwood.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church at 219 East 4th Street, Bloomington. Visitation will be at the Day Funeral Home, at 4150 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, on Saturday, October 9, 2010, between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. Burial will be at Solsberry Cemetery in Solsberry, Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s honor to the Shalom Center. On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.dayfuneralservices.com.