Bobby John Ray

Bobby John Webster Ray was born on June 10, 1936, to the late Charlie and Ethel Waddleton Ray in Winnsboro, Texas, the fifth of seven children. He accepted Jesus at an early age at the Mount Zion C.M.E. Church. In 1947, the Ray family moved from Winnsboro to the city of Fort Worth and the Como community. They later joined the Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church. Bobby graduated from I.M. Terrell High School in 1955 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Bobby Ray gave over two and half years of service to his country before receiving an honorable discharge in 1958. Mr. Ray began his college education at Texas College in Tyler, Texas. It is here that Bobby joined his fellow distinguished brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and later in his senior year served as President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University) in Earth Science. On November 26, 1969 Bobby married Wanda Joyce Polk, and three children were born to their union. Bobby and Wanda were married for forty-one years until her passing on May 17, 2011. Mr. Ray believed in the power of education. He began his teaching career at Carver High School in Greenville, Texas and continued as a science teacher for the Fort Worth Independent School District. For over twenty years, he taught science at O.D. Wyatt High School. His no nonsense approach brought Mr. Ray accolades from students and faculty alike, including being among the first group of teachers honored by the Tandy Corporation. Bobby retired from teaching in June of 2001.

On the morning of February 17, 2020, Bobby J. W. Ray (also known as Daddy and Paw Paw) began eternal rest from the cares and troubles of this earthly life. He leaves to cherish his memory his three children, Keith Napoleon Ray, Deidra Diane Ray, Deborah Denise Ray-Wright (Anthony); his grandsons Anthony Wright Jr. and Aaron Wright; younger sister Abbie Ford, younger brother Valentine L. Ray (Gloria), including a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Bobby is preceded in death by four siblings, Francis C. Sobel, Charles G. Ray, Abraham L. Ray, and Elizabeth M. Douglass.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the RAY family.