Jerrett Manning "Skipper" Ray Jr.

Many years ago (late 70´s), my father and I chartered with Skipper and it was one of the best memories I had with my late father. We fished for trout and tarpon on a few occasions and had a blast. When I became a father, I made sure to set up a trip with my son on Skipper´s boat and have a very special memory because of it. I will always great memories because of him.

Years ago, Skipper Ray showed my husband and me the beauty of the waters of the Laguna Madre. I´m so sorry he is gone.

A great friend a person who always wanted to help people and especially people who had financial difficulties a true man of God a lot of fun to go fishing with and alway catch fish great fisherman ,musician and Christian everyone loved Skipper Ray Heavens gain and our loss Mark A.Childress

Many years ago I met Skipper on the dance floor in Harlingen. He was dancing with my sister & having a great time. He was quite a character. Many times over the passing years I sent people who wanted to really catch fish to him as their guide. He always came thru for them. He will be truly missed. Dottie Irwin Melko Cypress, TX

I was fortunate to meet Skipper while also shopping for a retirement gift to myself (a flats boat), sometime around 2018 - 2019. I've been fortunate to have fished with many guides, from FL all the way down along the Gulf of Mexico, down to SPI, and a number of far away places that were out of country. Skipper was an original, a one of kind. When God made Skipper Ray, he broke the mold. I absolutely loved that Big Guy, and his soul mate India. They were a perfect match, he loved to guide and...

My sincere condolences to Skipper's family ,India, and all those SPI friends that are grieving over his passing. I got the priveledge to have met him fishing and even got the opportunity to have him take me out for a trip. He was well known in the community and a very good man. He will be greatly missed by many, but what he taught us will remain forever. I always think that they don't make em like him much anymore. He was special. May God bless his soul. RIP Skipper. Adios.

Skipper holds a very special place for me as my guide and friend. he could be somewhat taciturn with clients, which only made me like him more. I will never forget what he said to me at the beginning of our first day together. I had maybe made 4 casts just to warm up. His exact words were "if that's all the better you can cast, it's going to be a long f....ing day". It took be by surprise, but I cherish the memory, as I do all the days I spent on the water with him over the next 15 years. God...

My first salt water fly fishing trip to South Padre was 20 years ago and Skipper was my guide. As recently as this morning I was telling stories about that and subsequent trips. Ironically, I'll be returning to Laguna Madre this week end to once again fly fish for Red Fish. Skipper was a unique and most delightfully different sort of person. I will remember him fondly.

Great person my condolences to the Ray family.