Joseph Ray Obituary

Ray God bless you and the others KIA
in Jalalabad , Camp Blessing
SSG Shaw

I am sorry for your loss. My brother was KIA in Afghanistan in 2011. I am a new employee in the 391 where SSG Ray served. I have and award in my office that I'd like to get to his family. Can someone from the Ray family please contact me if possible? [email protected]. Thank you!

Sweet Joe,
I think of you often. Life sucks without you being here. Theres so much we take for granted when we think we have all the time in the world with someone. Your smile, silliness and always putting everyone before yourself. I can only speak for myself. But I sure do miss you, miss your hugs. Miss your smile. Even the way you walked, all the maintenance keys just jingling lol We never even made it, all of us on a camping trip. I loved you more than you know. Id give anything if I could turn back time and held our embrace just a little longer before your last deployment. I love you.
Kelly

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 week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of Joseph R. Ray US Army Staff 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. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.

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

Thinking about you always

To know Joe Ray was to love Joe Ray. His smile and presence would radiate warmth and happiness. He always fought the good fight and stood up for what was right. He always pulled for the underdog. I am so lucky to have been able to know and love Joe Ray. He touched the lives of everyone he met. A true blue honest hero that will NEVER be forgotten. Much love to his family.

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

Please know that Joe has not been forgotten. I remember him not only for his sacrifice defending our Country but for the incredible person he was as well. Joe will never be forgotten.

Joe was a great friend of mine from Elementary school up. Always thought of him as a cousin, and sure we were somewhere down the line.... I miss his smile and laughter. So many good memories to be shared with his friends and family and so many little ones that will need to know. GOD BLESS YOU JOE!!!!You're a true HERO to all your buddies in Fairview, NC!!!!!

March 12, 2012
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Joseph Ray:
Always remembering Joseph. "Some gave all."

Randy and Family:
Gary and I think about Joe growing up in the neighborhood on Emmas Grove. He was always so polite and smiling.We will always remember him and know that he is in Heaven smiling down on all of you everyday. We know you are proud of Joe because he was one in a million. We will never forget him. We pray for your continued strength.

To the family of Staff Sgt. Joseph 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.

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

The NC Run for the Fallen will honor fallen troops from North Carolina at a Memorial Run on Saturday, May 29th, 8:30am, Ayden Grifton High School track, Hwy 11 S. Ayden NC. Each troop will be honored by a runner/walker who carries a flag in his memory for one mile. Please come join us in honoring our fallen troops.

Ray-Ray, Today its been 4 years and it seems like only yesterday. I think of you and the others often. You were one of my best soldiers and not only that, you were a good man. There's not many days that go by that I don't think of you.
You and the others will always be remembered!!!!

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Joseph Ray:
Remembering Joseph 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

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna

Joseph,
Thinking and praying for you on the 3rd anniversary of your passing into eternal glory. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends", John 15:13.

Joseph,
Thinking and praying for you on the 3rd anniversary of your passing into eternal glory. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends", John 15:13.

To the family of Staff Sgt. Joseph Ray:
Joseph 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

Father we entrust our brother Joseph 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 Joseph in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathies.

On this Memorial Day you are remembered and respected. Thank you Staff Sgt Ray!

Our continued thoughts and prayers out to the RAY family ,Knowing now what they have always known,Is one of many reasons that our HEROES will NEVER be forgotten.Rest well brother that star spangled banner will FOREVER wave,Your name stamped in steel shall FOREVER be clutched in the tallons,Your spirit shall FOREVER soar high in the skies in the symbol of our great nation...COME by NORTH--COME by SOUTH--COME by EAST--COME BY WEST ,We were all gathered and united on that great day as strangers and upon those last [4] spoken words we are FOREVER BROTHERS.....HU...RA.....SEMPER FI.... B.V.C.

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!!

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

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

In Remembrance of this Fine Young Soldier, Staff Sgt. Joseph Ray, on the first anniversary of the day he gave his life for our Country and for Freedom.
May Joseph, rest safely in God's Care and know that he is a True American hero, that shall Never Be Forgotten.
May the Peace of the Lord be with the Ray family.
There will Never Be Enough Ways, to Humbly Thank these Heroes, for their Supreme Sacrifice, my brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have have passed away."
Revelations 21:4


May you find peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Country Remembers Joseph's sacrifice.
I am So Deeply Sorry for your loss.

“Soldier”
Written to Honor the Service of Our Fallen Soldiers

Soldiers write history, we pay the price
Many miles distant, you live the life
Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still

We hope and pray that all will find peace
In God, in the flag, in memories of valor
Gone now, our pride and courage you see
“An Army of One” our motto forever

Willing to risk all for love of our Brothers
We’re still Your Soldiers…and we showed the way
Our Lives too short, now pray for the others
Lived free died Heroes in lands far away

Deep within souls all cherished our Service
We’ll always have what some never know
Courage and Honor, our names forever
Lived life with purpose…just our time to go

We march in the Heavens with Honor and Glory
Missions accomplished we fought the Good Fight
Many years from now…we’ll tell the full story
Until that Day we will live in the Light

Our lives we laid down in a land far away
Still watching o’er you this night and by day
No need to talk…just know we are with you
There in your hearts and we hear what you pray

Yes we are your soldiers
Our lives we laid down
Still We guard o’er you
Still Duty bound

Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still
We’ll always have what some never know
Lived life with purpose…it was our time to go

God Bless you all from my family to yours. My deepest sympathies to the family.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS. PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST CONDOLENSES. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE. HE WAS A HERO AND WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. GODSPEED. SEMPER FI

Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. It broke our hearts to lose you, but we understand that God had a bigger plan. We will always remember your smile and good nature, and we honor you for making the ultimate sacrifice.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

My deepest sympathies to all the family. I had the priviledge of meeting this young man 12 years ago when I worked with his Mom. My God bless you and comfort you and all the family.

As we go along in life, we meet all kinds of people. If we are fortunate we come across a person like Joe. He was blessed with the ablilty to have a constant smile and open arms for everyone, especially children. I worked with Joe and I know how his presence was missed while he was overseas, and even more so now. I can't comprehend the loss his family is going through, but they are in my thoughts and prayers. I have two young sons of my own, and I would be proud if they grew into the man that Joe did. His parents should be very proud.

Joe was the most pleasant, polite and friendly person I know. While working with Joe he would always give me a big smile and hug whenever he passed my office. I will never forget him. It just doesn't seem real that he is gone. But remember that he is in a good place now and one day we will see him again.



Randy, Kim, Tyler, Helen, Anna and kids, my thoughts and prayers are with you.



Please help Alyson and Desmond to remember him by speaking of him often.



If I can ever do anything, please let me know.

Ive known Joey since he was a little kid running around the beaches of Pawleys Island, SC; he has always been like a little brother. It is still very hard to believe he is gone, he will forever be loved and missed.

Joe is my little brother and I appreciate all that everyone has to say about him. He was an excellent soldier and an excellent man and I'm proud to be his sister. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Words will never be able to express the the joy that Joe brought to my personal family and my family at work. We were all blessed to have him in our lives and he will never be forgotten.

To the Ray Family,

I knew Joe briefly. He went to war right after I started work at the Detention Facility. We passed a few times and honest to goodness the thing I remember most is that he was smiling and he spoke. The was never a time that Joe was too busy to say Hey and ask how everything was. God Bless you all... Godspeed Joe. Thank you for all you did and the countless lives you saved.

I didn't know Joseph but I attended the Memorial Service at Bagram Air Base Afghanistan for him and his comrades. It was clear from what his friends said about him that he was an excellent Soldier and more importantly an excellent man. I am so sorry for your loss. You are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Ray family in the loss of Joseph. I did not know Joseph, 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. Joseph you are a 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~

Dear Family,

My prays go out to all of your Family at this time of lost.

Thank You for raising such a brave

young man. He has given so much to so many by making the ultimate sacrfice of his life to protect and

defend the freedoms we all enjoy.

My family and I do not take this for granted. May the peace of God

comfort you now in this dark time.

But, remeber sorrow may edure for a

night but joy comes in the morning.

SSG Ray, I didn't know you as well as the guys did, but serving with you was a pleasure just the same. Thank you, my brother, and your family for your immense sacrifice. We will never forget you.

To the Family of SSG Joseph Ray,

I am so sorry for your loss. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life....Thank you SSG Ray for your ultimate sacrifice. May your family find peace and comfort in Jesus' loving arms.

A Proud 172 Stryker Mom

Dianne Werner

I was born a Ray, and my Father and Uncles were, (and will always be) Soldier's. Our prayers are with your loved ones, and Welcome Home to The Lord's Care Soldier!



My loving Grandmother is laid to rest in Burnsville, N.C., where my Soldier Dad was born!



In Christ,



Mona

Joe was one of those guys who everyone wanted know, talk to, and have as a friend. I was fortunate to know him as at a very young age and held him in my heart in the way you might a brother. Their is nothing quite like those first real friends. Even thought our paths had parted and growing up was unavoidable I hold that time of camping with our dads and swimming in the streams as being one of the most genuine, stress free, and happy point of my life. Joe was a big part of that picture and is for a great many people. I remember him and cannot help but smile.

Psalm 23



1

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3

He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.



This is a verse that I have found to be comforting to me during my husbands death. Remember that when it seems that no one else is round, God is still there with you! And he will be your rock!



My daughter,McKaLyne, and I send our heartfelt sympathy for your loss! God Bless this warrior, God Bless those whom serve freedom's cause! They are our true HERO's!!!!



Also, the Moving Tribute is was beautiful! Cherish those memories forever!



If you need anything, please feel free to contact me!!!



Wife & Daughter of the Late

Sgt. Audrey Daron Lunsford

KIA May 23, 2005

To the Family of Staff Sgt. Joseph Ray:

My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courgeous young man who gave his life so selflessly. We lost our son 12/1/05.

I know first hand there are no words right now that will bring you the comfort and peace you need. Just know that you are not alone. Our heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you mourn this loss. We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this horrible situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so sad and heartbroken at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with. They will never be able to be replaced, but know they will NEVER be forgotten either - not by us, their commrades or by the thousands of people that sign these guestbooks and care about these fine men and women. Sometime, someday your memories will sustain you. This courageous soldier will forever now be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well. If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away. God Bless this courageous soldier and his family.

Bill and Pam Adams (Proud parents of SFC Brent Adams, KIA 12/1/05 Ramadi, Iraq)

[email protected]

(Millersville, PA )