Daniel Wayne Ray

Danny was born on February 6, 1973, in Benton , Ky, to the late Patsy (Johnson) Penny and Ray Thomas Penny. Daniel was adopted at the age of 7 by Billy “Bill” Wayne Ray.

Danny graduated from Fulton County High School in Hickman, KY, in 1991 and continued on to join the United States Air Force at the age of 18. During his time in the military, he earned certifications in Metal Technology through the Okaloosa-Walton Vocational School in Fort Walton Beach, Fl.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1991 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1997. While serving, Danny was stationed in Eglin AFB, Shaw AFB, Osan AFB, and he served in Operation Desert Storm: living in “tent cities” for months at a time. Danny received several accolades for his merits of service and was refined through his time serving. Through resilience, adaptation, and love, he made several life-long friendships that were spread throughout the globe. His love knew no bounds. He served his country with pride and humility.

After his service, Danny had two children. Donovan Patrick Ray was born in Savannah, GA in March of 1999. His daughter, Sheridan Danielle Ray, was born in Marietta, GA in December of 2001. His kids were his life. As he had mentioned several times to them and to others, they were the best thing that ever happened to him.

Danny worked at Phoenix Air in Cartersville, GA for 20 years as an Aircraft Technician. Throughout his career, he mentored countless people. He lived with the mindset that to grow was to be uncomfortable, so he pushed countless of his coworkers to get uncomfortable and to grow away from complacency. Danny brought a light into his workplace that pushed others to understand their potential and worth.

A consistent factor in Danny’s life was motorcycles. He was passionate about building and learning about motorcycles since he was a child. He was always trying to build a better, cooler, and faster motorcycle. There have been several motorcycles that Danny has hand built and painted. Along with his love for motorcycles, Danny loved race cars. He owned a Monza, a first-generation S-10, and a Malibu that he took to drag races. Danny also spent time as a bladesmith, making knives under the brand “Ray-Blades”. At the end of his life, he came back to motorcycles and made several unbreakable friendships through the brotherhood of the Warlocks M.C. of Cartersville, GA.

Danny Ray was an irreplaceable force in his community. Through his love, patience, and kindness, he paved a way for countless people to make this world a better place. His legacy will be remembered as someone who made this life better than how he found it.

Those remained to cherish his memory are his son, Donovan Patrick Ray of Acworth, GA; his daughter, Sheridan Danielle Ray of Kennesaw, GA; his sister, Patricia “Patty” Crawell of Clinton, KY; his brother Thomas “Tom” Penny Jr. of Vicksburg, MS; his adoptive father Billy “Bill” Ray; and several nieces, nephews, and other family members that he cherished profoundly.

He was preceded in death by his brother Timothy Penny; mother, Patsy (Johnson) Penny; his father, Ray Penny; and his beloved niece, Breezie Renae Penny.

A memorial service will be held at Legion Post 42 in Cartersville, GA on November 1, 2025. The address of the service is 525 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Cartersville, GA 30120. Visitation will be from 11:00am- 12:30pm and the service will be from 12:30pm until 2:00pm. Military honors will be held at the end of the service.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations are made to Helping Hands for Bartow County Kids. Danny Ray was very passionate about his contribution to this cause, and his children wish for any money that would be spent on flowers to be used to help a child in need in his community. Donations can be made at www.helpinghandsforbartow.org