Ray was a U.S. Air Force veteran and his love of country and all things military followed him his whole life. He was a barber in Bradley for many years. He also owned Ray’s Military Surplus store, in three locations, for over 30 years. He was one of the first area businessmen to recognize the potential of the rafting industry and was one of the first businesses locally to sell rafting equipment. Ray was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sharing outdoor and survival skills with young people. He also enjoyed woodworking and working with his hands at many crafts, projects, and inventions.
Ray was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Fernatt; brothers, Harold, Robert, Fred; and sister, Lilly.
Those left to cherish his memory includes his daughter, Marie (Rob) Bryant of Cool Ridge; daughter, Michelle Wyant of Daniels; son, Ray Smoot Jr (Jennifer) of Daniels; daughter, Susan Smoot Stumpf of Daniels; daughter, Donna Elias of Deatsville, AL; sister, Dolly Vipperman of Lakeland FL; brother, Roy Smoot of Colfax, NC; 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. Along with many friends and loyal customers.
Visitation will be held at Blue Ridge Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations of sympathy be sent to Hospice of Southern West Virginia - www.hospiceofsouthernwv.org/donate.
