James Michael Ray

(RET) SGM J. Michael Ray retired from this life at the age of 62 after a long battle with ALS. Mike was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 20th, 1961, to the late James Pryce Ray and Ava Nell Ray.Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jewel Nevaeh Ray.He is survived by his loving wife, Deanna Lynne Ray, of 34 years; two children, Jennifer Lynne Ray (Keshon) and James Joshua Ray of Louisville, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Madison Brooke Ray (Nicholas), Aniyah Kay Gill and James Michael Ray; one great-grandchild, Lakelyn Rae Mahoney.Mike retired from the U.S Army after 21 plus years of service. He served in Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Shield/ Storm. His first duty station was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He then spent time abroad at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. He was then stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington before he spent the last fifteen years of his military service in 1st SFOD-D at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His military decorations include two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Awards, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Master Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.He taught Special Education at Hoke County High School after retiring from the military. He coached baseball and football and genuinely cared about his students and players. He was determined to coach baseball for as long as he could and coached from his wheelchair his last year. “I really enjoy being around the boys. There’s a great group of young men in the school and I have them on my baseball team. Seeing their accomplishments and their trials and tribulations and helping them through those is very rewarding for me.”Mike loved to play sports and one of his many accomplishments was winning the state pole vault medal in his senior year of high school. Mike was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He loved spending his free time out in the woods or on the lake. He was also a devoted fan to the Kentucky Wildcats and the Atlanta Braves.We want to thank our special friends; Gary and Kathy Brigman, Shelley and Steve Wilburn, Walter and Verna Barnhill, and Bobby and Jane Britt. We would not have made this journey as smooth without you.Mike and Deanna were blessed to be able to honor his wish to be cared for at home by his wonderful nurses; Amanda Noble, Jason Harris, Mike Carpenter, and Zak Boulton. Thank you to PHH of Knightdale, NC for assisting in his care for many years.Funeral services with full military honors will be held at Raeford United Methodist Church on June 11th at 2:00 P.M with visitation in the fellowship hall following the service.In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring his memory by making a donation to the Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation, P.O. Box 47, Hertford, NC 27944 or the Hoke County Animal Shelter, 353 CC, Steele Rd., Raeford, NC 28376.