Raymond Hope Thrift Jr.

Ray was a 1961 graduate of Virginia Tech (Go Hokies) with a degree in Business Administration. While at Tech he was in the Corp of Cadets, a special group which he supported in his retirement. Every year he returned to Tech to march onto the field at Homecoming.

After graduation he accepted an Army Commission as 1st Lieutenant and spent three years in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in various commands but mostly as a tank driver. Oh how he loved to tell a good tank story.

While on leave, Ray married the love of his life Ellen Hedrick who joined him in Germany. Returning stateside he joined the staff of Virginia Tech in the Placement Office. Ready for a new adventure, the family (now with daughter Catherine), moved to Pensacola, Florida as the Placement Director at the University of West Florida where he ultimately retired after 25 years. Ray made a positive impact in the lives of so many students as well as military veterans coming off active duty and trying to figure out their next chapter of employment.

Ray was a champion table tennis player (don't call it ping pong) and enjoyed competing in several senior games in Virginia and Georgia. He was also a talented quilter who donated many of his quilts to various nonprofit organizations.

Ray is survived by his wife, Ellen Thrift and daughter, Catherine Thrift, both of St. Simons.

A service will be held at the St. Simons United Methodist Church located at 624 Ocean Blvd. St. Simons on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of the organizations that was important to Ray: No Kill Glynn County, Memory Matters Glynn or the Wounded Warrior Project.