Casey Aaron Ray

1982 - 2016

Casey Aaron Ray walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, passing while sleeping on March 14, 2016, at the age of 33. Casey was born on December 5, 1982, in Bakersfield, California, to Kevin Brady Ray of Bakersfield, and Tracey Suzanne Fitzgerald of Fort Worth, Texas.

Casey was a man of strong faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, an avid outdoorsman, devoted father, a loving son, and lover of life, full of compassion and desire to help those in need. Casey would always go out of his way to help others less fortunate. His mother would often boast about her son's passion to help those in need and would always be ready to tell others about how Casey, as a young boy, would take the leftovers from a family meal at their local favorite restaurant, Wool Growers, and distribute them to those in need on the way to the car. Casey continued his outreach into adulthood and dedicated his life to imparting these same values and morals to his beloved son Ethan.

Casey found great satisfaction in always helping troubled friends and other young men to find Jesus Christ and leading them in the right direction to health and happiness. It was no surprise but so incredibly moving when so many of Casey's friends took the time to come by to express their condolences to his mom and dad and give testimony as to how Casey had touched their lives in so many positive ways. For this the family is eternally grateful, and we love you all so much! Thank you! We look forward to continued fellowship in remembrance of Casey, and we will continue Casey's ministry from this point forward.

Casey's working life included outreach as well. Casey proudly served as a police officer protecting and serving the citizens of Taft and Delano for seven years until becoming disabled, removing him from service. Undeterred, Casey seized the opportunity to focus on helping others and expanding his ministry. Casey always had an experience to share, thoughtful words of encouragement to say, and a stack of Bibles and devotionals to hand out at the ready.

Casey graduated from Stockdale High School of Bakersfield in 2001 and played varsity football at the age of 15, received his associate's degree from Bakersfield College, completed the police academy at the College of the Sequoias with highest honors in 2006, and was recently working toward a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix.

Casey is survived by his parents, Kevin and Tracey Ray; his beloved son, Ethan; Ethan's mother, Katy Mattley; grandparents, Walter Ray Sr., Betty Ray, and Ben Fitzgerald; uncles and aunts, Keith and Kathy Ray, Pat and Trish Fitzgerald; cousins, Matt Renois, Amy Thrasher and her husband Herb Thrasher, Walter Ray III, Rick Ray, Lane Ray, Max Ray, Justin Ray, Gwen Ray, Caleb Ray, Ian Ray, and Ryan Ray. Casey was preceded in death by Boots Fitzgerald, Frank Ray, and Karen Renois.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 22nd, from 4 to 8 p.m.; and memorial services will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 10 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3700 River Blvd.

For condolences, please visit: Greenlawn Funeral Home