Mr. Ray served proudly in the United States Air Force, retiring at the rank of Colonel in 1999 after over 26 years of service. He took part in the following key assignments all over the world: F-16 System Manager, Ogden Air Logistics Center in Utah; Logistics Group Commander, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Staff Officer, Air Force Material Command, WPAFB, Ohio; Maintenance Squadron Commander, Misawa AB, Japan; Maintenance Squadron Commander, Okinawa AB, Japan; Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Okinawa, Japan and Cannon AFB, New Mexico; Weapons Officer (F-111): Cannon AFB; RAF Upper Heyford, UK; Nellis AFB, Nevada; and Korat AB, Thailand; and Navigator,(C-141), Charleston, S.C. Mr. Ray also received a Masters Degree in Management from Troy State University.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
James is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Donna Marie Ray, whom he married on May, 27 1967 in Eight Mile, Alabama; sons, Patrick (Dominique) Ray and Jeff (Jennifer) Ray; grandchildren, James, Madeline, Lucas, Sidney, and William Ray.
Visitation will be on Monday September 27, 2021 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main Street, Springboro, Ohio 45066. Funeral will follow at 12:30 pm with Connie Hancock officiating with committal to follow at Dayton National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton in honor of James Joseph Ray.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.anderson-fh.com for the Ray family.
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