Thomas C. Ray Obituary

I had the opportunity to serve with Sgt Ray we became very good friends while in Iraq. I miss him like crazy.

Hello,
We realize that we are very late to express our deepest condolences, but we wanted to let your family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this holiday season and several of these will be dedicated to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and hometown of Thomas C. Ray II US Army Sergeant.

We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community, their families and friends and others who support our mission.

We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.

Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of our US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

To the family and friends of Sgt. Thomas C. Ray:
Always remembering Thomas. "Some gave all."

To the family and friends of Sgt. Thomas C. Ray:
Please accept my remembrance of Thomas on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family of Sgt. Thomas C. Ray:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.

Dear Family,
SGT Thomas Ray will never be forgotten. He is a Hero, and will be forever. I am sorry for your pain, but I hope the beautiful memories of his life and his spirit will fill you with more joy each passing day.

To the family and friends of Sgt. Thomas C. Ray:
Remembering Thomas on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

It is hard to believe that over a year has passed sence this happened, it was a true honer to serve alond side of you it was a true honer god speed to the family and friends. He really was a terrific person to serve with.

To the family of Sgt. Thomas C. Ray:
Thomas gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

I offer my deepest condolences for your loss

FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
We love our Soldiers! This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, God Bless You and we hope that your portrait is bringing you some peace!
Sincerely,
Kenna

God Bless you and your precious family you left behind. Thank you for what you along with others have sacrificed for this country.

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt Ray and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt Ray!

Ray, I still can't believe you are gone. I miss you more than I can say...you were like the big brother I always wanted, ya know? It seems like just the other day we finished MP school together...and then you decided that you would go on this deployment with me. I will remember what you said for the rest of my life : "I can't let my little sister go over there alone, I am going with you to make sure that you come home safely." I will never be able to tell you just how much that ment to me. I miss you, my brother, with all my heart. To the Ray family : always remember the man that he was, know that he loved you dearly, and never forget he is a real American hero.

This is my last goodbye to a good friend. The fun times and the bad times are done but not forgotten each had its purpose and reason these I will hold on to till we meet again. My Condolences to all who knew and loved him, he will be missed. I Salute you on a Job well done your rendezvous with destiny has come you are home now.

I guess this is the way to Finally Say good bye to my brother who i will miss and loved .To not see or hear him tell a joke or play a prank will always be missed by me his little sister who loved him very deeply. My condolences to everyone who knew him And loved him God bless you all.

To the Ray family,
We are Lee & Dana Pearson's friends in Rolesville, NC. Lee commands the 1132nd. Dana told us about Ray and you all. She was in the car on the way home from his memorial service, detailing the military honors and how your home town came out in the streets to salute him. Very honorable and humbling for us who benefit from the service of heroes like your loved one, Ray. We want you to know how much we respect him and you. I can't imagine that folks in Raleigh would come out and salute the Governor, if his funeral procession went by. But, it is fitting to salute your soldier--as it should be. Prayers for your comfort and care are going up constantly. We've told our friends and asked for their prayers on your behalf, too. God bless you.

My son Freeman was deployed with Ray. His gf Jesse told me she met his wife and dog while at Camp Shelby during the last visit before deploying... My son's heart hurts as do ours for your loss. The 1132nd bless their hearts are hanging tight, doing their best to hold the high ground through all this... prayers for peace and comfort whispered for you

My heartfelt sympathy to the Ray family and friends in the loss of Thomas. I did not know Thomas, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Thomas you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

To the Family of SGT Ray,

I worked with SGT Ray in Iraq the first time in Camp Bucca. I want to give you my warm heart and say i am sorry for your loss of a good man. Fellow Brother in Arms. SGT Alex Bostian HQ, 30TH HBCT Clinton, NC

I cannot believe you are gone. We had talked about our plans for the future on Friday, and Saturday you didn't call. You were laughing and making jokes. That was the Thomas that I loved. You were full of life and always helping others. The news was a shock and it is still hard to believe. I will never hear your laugh or see your smiling face again. You were the love of my life. I knew the first day I saw you we would be married. We had 19 wonderfu years together. Sydney and I are very proud of you. We will always love you.

To the family and brothers-in-arms of SGT Thomas C. Ray: My heart and sympathies go out to you. My son, Adam Garrity, is with the 1132 MP Co. currently in Iraq. Adam will carry Ray with him forever. He lives within my son's heart. Soldiers sacrifice but never die! It is my prayer that you take comfort in his memory and find peace.

To the Ray Family:
I visited the Veteran's Cemetery today and like I promised, I found where Thomas is laid to rest. I left two long stem red roses.
I hope you take some comfort in knowing that his memorial is located in one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in all of Buncombe County.
Thinking of you.

Thomas,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

I
met "Ray" while working for a movie rental company, he came to work
with me and I got know him.. He was a very sweet, kind and hardworking
person. One thing I will always remember, he was always in a good mood
and always made me smile. I was saddened to hear he was taken home to
heaven, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

To the family of Sgt. Ray: Many you don't know personally send our condolences to you. We appreciate the sacrifice made by your loved one, and offer you our prayers and support.

We extend our prayer to you and your family at this time. We are grateful that your love one thought enough of us, to serve and protect us. Doing so, the ultimate price was paid. And for this, we say, "THANK YOU, WARRIOR. We will forever be grateful. We may not remember all the names one by one, but we will remember the warriors. All that paid the price, that we, could be free.

To the family of Sgt Ray
Oh how my heart aches for you and your loss but you must know that Thomas is in better place and will always watch out over you.
Just have faith in God and you will get through.
Thomas gave his life to protect others. There cannot be a greater way to leave this world than as a hero. God has called home another special angel.
It was an honor to escort Thomas home to Weaverville on Saturday.
God Bless You.

Thomas Ray and myself were roommates in FOB Rusty in Iraq. I got to know him for 7 months. In those 7 months we became good friends. He was a great guy and a even greater soldier. There was nothing he would not do for me or any other soldiers in our Platoon. He will be greatly missed. We all love you "FROGMAN" but i know you will be watchign over us until we get home. Thanks for evrything you done and being a great friend from your friend RECON

To the Family of SGT Ray, my heart goes out to you all during this difficult time along with the friends and the rest of the 1132nd MP CO. May god bless you all!

To the family of Sgt Ray, I want to send my deepest sympathies for your loss. Ray is loved and missed, but will never be forgotten by me.
GOD SPEED to you

To the family and friends of Sgt Ray know that he was loved by his whole family here and will be greatly missed! and we will NEVER forget the lives he has touched and saved!

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I will remember the mornings that I would come into the TOC and Ray would be already there. He would be sitting on the bench outside awaiting my arrival to open the door. He would be smoking his morning cigar watching the sky. We would exchange small talk about this or that. On 22 MAR, he and I had plans to go to the gym after we both got back from the mission. We were both gunners for different trucks that day. I told Ray to keep low from the snipers. Ray replied that he would, but if it was his time then it was his time to go. HE was happy and carefree. He did not have a worry. He was, as we all were and are, counting the days to go home.
Ray was a friend. He and I were here for the same reasons, to help the younger soldiers get through this mission and get home. I will miss him and his uncanny way of leaving me with a laugh. This Army has lost a good soldier, I have lost a good friend and the world is a little duller without Ray in it.

We will never forget. It was my honor to know you. You will forever be missed

"Little RAY RAY" is how I used to greet Thomas everyday. We were serving together in 1st Platoon in Iraq and on March 22nd, the lives of members of the 1132nd MP CO changed forever. Along side of Thomas were SGT. David Williams, SPC "DOC" D.J.Stelmat and two Iraqi interpreters. All very brave men. I never saw Thomas angry and he never complained about anything. He loved his soldiers and we loved him. GODSPEED brother Thomas.

"SEE VICTORY NOT BATTLE"
SSG Dorn, Gregory
US Army, Iraq

My name is John Metcalf, Thomas was my brother-in-law I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your prayers and respects he wanted to make a difference in this world and believed in what he was there for. He was a hero to me long before he went to Iraq and now he is a hero to everyone who lives free.To Thomas in life you were my friend my brother my HERO the world is a darker place without you I will miss you.

Our thoughts and prayers out to the RAY family .Knowing now what they have always known is one but of many reasons that our HERO[S] shall NEVER be forgotten.Rest well brother as prommissed and in your honor that star spangled banner shall FOREVER wave.Your name stamped in steel shall be FOREVER clutched in the tallons , as your spirit FOREVER soars high in the skies in the symbol of our greatfull nation..THANK..YOU...Respectfully.....HO...YAAH.....All Hard Chargers....If you are wonded I will carry you**If you are captured I will come for you**If you are K.I.A..I will FOREVER reamber you..........All Hard Chargers..We have one and all COME by NORTH**COME by SOUTH**COME by EAST**COME by WEST..We were gathered and united on that great day as strangers as we stood and upon those last [4] spoken words we are........FOREVER..BROTHERS.............SEMPER..FI.........B.V.C.....

To the Ray family,

I know there are no words to say, except how sorry I am for your loss. May you hold Thomas' memory in your heart and please remember he shall never be forgotten.

...For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I’m home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I’m only a civilian
And I don’t even know if it’s allowed.

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

Suzanne MacDaniel
A Proud Aunt
David M.Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 Iraq

Ray, As we called you everyday I have cried many tears for you and our brothers who died along side you on that day. Even though I left Iraq after being injured in a roadside bomb I feel honored to have served along side you. You will never be forgotton. God bless you and your family.

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

I would also like to tell you about a website, http://groups.msn.com/SSPSoldierPor
traits/homepage,
where some wonderful people will make wood portraits of your fallen Hero for free for the immediate family. I became aware of this site when I wanted to do something special for Le Ron’s mother.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett (Queens, NY)

Just Wanted to say that IM Sorry and i wanted to tell the family that there in my toughts I love them and i miss Them Tommy will always be in our hearts From The Travis And Cheatham Family

Ray,
I would rather you be writing to me on this guestbook. We watched each other's backs when we worked together in the U.S., and I am sorry that I was not there to watch yours in Iraq. Our time together was fun regardless of the circumstances, and I will keep fond memories of our talks.
I respected you as a soldier and I thank you for the honor of calling you friend.
Go home and rest well. You've earned it.

Father we entrust our brother Thomas to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold Thomas in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

I am writing to offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family over the loss of your HERO Sgt Thomas C Ray. I lost my son in Iraq on May 6/2007, so I can well understand your pain of losing a loved one so dear.

I pray you will be guided by a higher power to give you peace, comfort and strength in this time.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your soldier was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of his service. He will not be forgotten!


(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT /Ft Lewis
KIA 5/6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXAX__FZYg4

Please know that as a mother of a Soldier; I grieve with you; as do so many, many others.

Rest In Peace I always called you Uncle Tommy but now it seems like Everything Changed. I know the Family has to taking it hard IM SO SORRY i cant be there but I Love You and I always Will...

REST IN PEACE SGT. RAY, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and they were protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008

The price Sgt. Thomas C. Ray and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten. Please know how Deeply Sorry I am to learn of the loss of this Brave Soldier.

May Thomas rest safely now, in the Loving Care of God and may the Peace of God be with the Ray family.
There will Never Be Enough Ways to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes for their Sacrifices, my brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

"I consider that our present sufferings.
are not worth comparing with the glory
that shall be revealed in us."
~ Romans 8:18 ~

May you find Peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Grateful Country Will Not Forget the Sacrifice Thomas made.
You are in my thoughts and prayers

From our military family to yours, we would like to thank SGT Ray for his service and sacrifice to this great country, as well as send our deepest condolences for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.