Born April 16, 1937, in Madison County, he was the son of Otis Lee and Ruby Maxine Lohr Gooding. He moved to Richmond where he met Joyce Ann Stump, his wife of 50 years. The two later moved to Glen Allen where they raised their son, Douglas Gooding. Ray was a loving husband, a devoted father and put his family above all else. He loved working in the yard and garden and enjoyed being outdoors. He was also an avid sports fan and loved to hate his favorite teams. He spent many hours coaching them on all their mistakes from the comfort of his living room.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Ann Gooding, his parents, Otis Lee and Ruby Gooding, and his brothers Roger Powell Gooding, Otis Lee Gooding Jr. and Jason Lohr Gooding Sr.
Ray is survived by his son, Douglas Ray Gooding.
