Raymond Bruce Ray

To know Raymond was to know laughter, loyalty, and a little bit of harmless chaos. A proud firefighter for the City of Memphis for 28 years, he dedicated his life to serving others with grit, courage, and sense of humor that could light up even the toughest days. He was the kind of man who would run into danger for a stranger and then crack a joke before anyone could thank him. But beyond the uniform Raymond was first and foremost a family man. His greatest pride was the life he built with his family- whether gathered around the dinner table, on the back porch, or out on the water. He was a great handyman, and the guy friends could count on to help build, fix or rig up something that will work. He loved fiercely, showed up when it mattered, and made sure the people around him never doubted they were loved. If there was music playing, a cooler nearby, or a boat headed out on the lake, chances are Raymond was at the center of it all. He lived for lake days, campfire nights, storytelling, and making memories that usually ended with someone saying, “Only Raymond Ray could do something like that and get away with it.” He had an unmatched ability to turn ordinary moments into unforgettable ones.

He is survived by his spouse Judith Ray, his children William Ray (Tiffany), Sherry Sohl, Mary Murray, Karen McGee (Mike), seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and countless friends, brothers, and sisters from the fire service who became family along the way.

A visitation/service celebrating his life will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N Germantown Pkwy., Bartlett, TN 38133, on May 19, 2026. Visitation at 1:00pm with service to follow at 2:00pm. In true Raymond fashion, guests are encouraged to come ready to share stories, laughter, and a few wild memories.

Some people leave quietly, others leave a wake behind them, Raymond was the latter.