Ray Clayton Montgomery

Ray was born in Neptune, New Jersey on February 19, 1947 to parents Ralph and Jean Montgomery. Ray came to Charlotte in 1967 and began his career with Southern Bell/Bellsouth, now known as AT&T. He began as a helper and retired 33.5 years later as a cable splicer.

Ray served in the US Air Naval Reserves for 20 years. He traveled the US, Spain, Italy, Cecily, France, Iceland, Greenland, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and more.

Ray was past President of Windsor Park Neighborhood Association and he volunteered regularly at Windsor Park Elementary School until his declining health prevented him from doing so.

Ray was a NASCAR fan. For many years, he and his buddies had permanent seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He also worked and traveled with the Bill Elliot show car team for many years.

Ray enjoyed OLD country music, blue grass, gospel and WSM radio. He listened to his favorite songs during his final hours.

Ray married Judy Ailene M. Branch on November 9, 1990. They were married 25 years before she preceded him in death on September 6, 2015.

Ray is survived by his best friend and constant companion, his dog Grover.

Sincere Thanks to Ray’s medical team at Levine Cancer and Novant Health for their care and compassion throughout this last year while navigating a diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, in Ray’s case a rare mutation with no cure.

Ray spent the last year in and out of the hospital and rehab. He made the decision on Friday, October 10 to enter hospice and stop the continuous transfusions that kept him alive.

Ray wanted to he at home in his final days. With help from Liberty Hospice and Home Instead, this was made possible. Thank you to his hospice team, Angela, Azuree and Stephanie. Thanks also to his Home Instead caregivers, Yanna, Caryl, Sue, Amira, Josephine, and Chantelle. We couldn’t have done it without each of you!!

In keeping with Rays wishes, there will be no services. He will be interred at a later date in Hickory Grove, SC.

Ray requested memorials be made to any animal rescue group of choice.