Ernest was born Oct. 17, 1919, in Dallas and was the son of Ernest Elmer Ray Sr. and Ruby Patterson. He attended Dallas Technical High School where he graduated in 1937.
Ernest was very proud to have served his country starting out in July 1942 by enlisting in the U.S. Army where he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in February 1943. From there, during World War II, he served in the European theater of operations in various stations such as Oran, North Africa, France, and later in Germany and participated in four European campaigns.
He was then called to serve in Korea in the years of 1950-51 and participated in six campaigns, including the brutal battle of Chosin Reservoir in which he described the weather conditions as colder than he had ever experienced.
In late 1960 he was sent to Taipei, Taiwan, which was the last foreign station of his distinguished career. Just before he shipped out, and while on leave, he married Joann Middlebrooks of Griffin, Ga., in Dallas on Oct. 4, 1960. A short time after the marriage he was called to ship out to Taiwan and was unable to take his new bride with him. Fortunately a few weeks later, she was able to join him.
During his career he completed U.S. Army Command and Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and other military courses and schools. He also attended Kansas State University.
After retiring from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel, he settled into civilian life in Fort Worth where he raised his family. There he continued to serve, although this time as a civilian, in his new role as manager of base housing at Carswell A.F.B. He retired from the air force base greatly loved and respected.
In his free time, he enjoyed taking his family to see relatives. His special interests were boating with family and teaching them how to fish, growing tomatoes and other vegetables in his garden, and also the occasional trip to the Texas coastline to fish with his buddies. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.
The family wishes to thank all of the kind and considerate extended family members at Brookdale in Ocoee, Fla., who spent so much time caring for Ernest and making him feel at home.
Ernest was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Joann Ray of Fort Worth; his son, Ernest "Ernie" Elmer Ray III of Dallas; and his grandson, Jessie Ray of Dallas.
Survivors: Ernest is survived by his children, Lisa Scruggs of McDonough, Ga., Greg Ray of Rockledge, Fla., Jeff Ray of Knoxville, Tenn., and Tami Stueve of Gotha, Fla.; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
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