James Andrew Ray

James Ray was born in Union County, Kentucky, to Morton Franklin and Lottie Pauline (Shelton) Ray on September 23rd, 1935. Morton and Pauline raised their eldest son, James (Jim), on their family farm. Jim graduated from Morganfield High School in Morganfield and attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. While at Western Kentucky, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1957 and met his lifelong partner, Nadine Seay Pottinger. They were married on September 4th, 1955, while both were still in college, and lived a full life together.

Jim was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, helping to start many churches and leading numerous others to Christ. He served as a teacher, superintendent, deacon, elder, and board member for the Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship. He was a devoted family man, dedicated to Nadine and proud of his children and grandchildren.

He built a career legacy in Livestock Market News, primarily with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring in September 1990. Jim began his service to the nation in the U.S. Army in 1957 and later retired from the Army Reserve as an Infantry Captain in 1973. In recognition of his distinguished military and civil service, he was appointed a Kentucky Colonel in September 1999.

James Andrew Ray is preceded in death by his father, Morton Ray; mother, Pauline Ray; sister, Joyce Ray; brother, Carl Ray; sister in law, Laurinda (Pottinger) Snider; and brother in law, Frank Green.

Jim is survived by his spouse, Nadine (Pottinger) Ray; daughter, Lisa (Ray) Purdy, and her husband, Mark Purdy; son, James Franklin Ray, and his wife, Lisa (Mock) Ray; and grandchildren, Emily Ray and Michelle Purdy. He is also survived by his sister, Brenda (Ray) Green; brother in law, John Snider; sister in law, Pat Ray; and brother in law, Louie Pottinger, and his spouse, Lynda Pottinger.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 6th, at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22151, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM at the same location.

Military Honors and Interment will take place on Monday, June 8th at 11:00 AM at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, located at 10300 Pridesville Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002.

Memorials may be given to the Waypoint Church Partners, honoring Jim Ray’s lifelong calling to lead others to Christ, or to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, supporting ongoing needs within the community.

Nadine, Lisa, and James - wish to extend their sincere thanks to the many pastors, churches, family, friends, doctors, and caregivers who lovingly prepared Jim to now rest in peace.