Ray was born February 18, 1933 in Warren County to the late Samuel S. and Annie McKinley Doss, where he attended local schools. He went on to attend ABAC College for two years, before joining the U.S. Navy and serving during the Korean War. Ray retired after 28 years of service from the University of Georgia, where he worked in the Forestry Department at Whitehall Forest. Ray was an avid photographer and a champion horseshoe pitcher. He was a league bowler and loved playing and teaching pool. He was a good friend to everyone he met. He served as past-President and coach with the American Baseball League of Athens, served as a Boy Scout leader for many years, was a member of the Moose Lodge 767 and was a member of Oconee Heights Baptist Church.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Bethel Marie Doss, son John David Kester, great- grandchildren: Xavier Martin and Aaliyah Davison, brother, Sam Doss, and sisters, Leary Belle Finley, Emily Hutto, and Dorothy Branch.
Mr. Doss is survived by his children, Linda Murphy and her husband, Jim of Ft. Myers, FL; Denise Kester-Ferguson and her husband Don of Ashland, OR; Philip Kester and his wife Pam of Morrice, MI; Kevin Doss and his wife Linda of Commerce, GA; Billy Doss of Athens and Cissy Borders and her husband Randy of Beersheba,TN; brother, Calvin Doss of Wilmington, NC; and sister Christine Reeves of Warrenton; 27 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends and catered reception will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Hwy., Athens, GA 30606. The funeral service will follow the informal gathering at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Crist Camden officiating.
Burial will follow in Athens Memory Gardens, 5195 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA 30605.
For those who knew and loved Ray, He wants you to know that “In Heaven I am getting better looking every day!”
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
