On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Jim Lee Ray, Jr. passed from this life into God’s presence at his home in Sumrall, Mississippi, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was 68 years old. Jim was born in Greenville, Mississippi, to Irene and Jimmie Ray, Sr. Although the family always considered the Spring Cottage Community of Mississippi their home, Jim had the opportunity to live around the world while his father served our country in the United States Air Force.
After graduating from high school in Minot, North Dakota, Jim joined the United States Navy, where he served as a sonar technician aboard the nuclear submarine USS Alexander Hamilton. His military service reflected a lifelong sense of duty, discipline, and patriotism.
Following his service in the Navy, Jim returned home to Mississippi and entered the oil and gas industry, where he built a career spanning 40 years. He worked for numerous companies and founded two businesses of his own—J&S Transport, a trucking company, and Ray Oilfield Consulting, Inc., which provided services to the oil and gas industry. Known as a hard worker and problem solver, Jim took great pride in the businesses he built and the people he worked alongside.
Jim was deeply patriotic and formerly active in the American Legion. With a strong heart for community service, he also worked as a firefighter with the City of Columbia and helped found the Hickory Grove Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief for nine years. Additionally, he volunteered with the Sumrall Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for one year, and had been a resident of the Sumrall community for the past 40 years.
A man of deep faith, Jim was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Sumrall, where over the years he served in various capacities including Sunday School teacher and the security team. His faith guided his life and his commitment to serving both his church and his community.
Jim had many interests and was affectionately known as a “serial hobbyist.” Over the years, his hobbies included square dancing, reading, playing guitar, fishing, golf, photography, hunting, and camping. Above all, Jim was devoted to his family and cherished the time spent together. He will be remembered for his warm sense of humor, generous spirit, and his readiness to help anyone in need.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Ray, Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Sharon Ray; his daughters Michelle Ginn (Jay) and Angela Patterson (Jeremy); his son Christopher Ray; his mother Irene Ray; and his five cherished grandchildren, Dalton Daughtry (Erin), Lilly Claire Patterson, Rayleigh Patterson, Parker Ginn, and Maddox Patterson.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Sumrall on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service, officiated by Brother Hampton Sims, will take place at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Jim will be laid to rest in the Spring Cottage Cemetery.
