Services in his honor will be Friday, April 7, at Hill Crest Memorial beginning with a Visitation between 9:30 and 11 in the State Room, with a Graveside service following in the Cemetery at 11:00 am.
MD, son of the late Marvin Dean Sr. and Ira Bell, was born July 21, 1931, in Haynesville. He was preceded in death by his sister Madeine and his brother Lloyd. After attending Haynesville High School, MD attended Northwestern State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. While attending Northwestern, MD played on both the Demon football and baseball teams. After college, MD proudly served in the United States Army, where he was primarily stationed in Germany. MD would later obtain his master’s degree in education from Louisiana Tech University.
MD is survived by his wife Mary Margaret (“MM”) and their two sons, Richard Lee Ray (Tara) and William Scott Ray (Bonnie-Lyn). He leaves behind four grandchildren, Jordan Lee Ray-Hart (Lauren), Micayla Meredith Sherman (Jacobe), Mary-Ashley Thies (Jake), and William Taylor Ray, as well as two great grandchildren, Sadie Ray Thies and Kaleyiah Jane Sherman. MD also had two nieces, Donna and Cheryl, and one nephew, Rocky.
MD “cherished the ground MM walked on” and their marriage was an example of what a great marriage should be. He also took his responsibility as a father very seriously and lived his life in a manner his boys could strive to emulate. Beyond his family, MD’s biggest legacy will be all the players he coached and coaches he worked with at Haynesville High School, Airline High School and Riverdale Academy. Several years ago, the high school football field at Airline High School was renamed MD Ray Field in his honor.
MD was also an active member of Cypress Baptist Church and was well known for picking up donuts for his Sunday school class. Anyone who knew MD knows he will surely hear these words from God: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Northwest War Veterans Home for taking such loving care of MD in the last five years of his life.
