Jonah Fred Ray Jr.

Jonah Fred Ray, Jr. Jonah Jr. is an enrolled member of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. He was born March 19, 1947 and passed away June 16, 2016. He was the second oldest of eleven children born to Mary Senich Ray and Jonah F. Ray, Sr. Jonah is preceded in death by his mother and father, his sisters Merle Jefferson and Amanda Antone. Jonah is survived by spouse Corinna Ray and his siblings; Delbert Ray, Sr., Ruth Antone, Russell Ray, Juanita Pablo, Doris Lewis, Julia Ray, Hazel Ray, and Lola Antone. He was born and grew up in Salt River and attended the SR Day School til the 5th grade when he and his school aged siblings were transferred to the Mesa Public School system. Thereafter he attended Stewart Indian School in Carson City Nevada. Upon graduation from Stewart he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served four years in the army, including one year deployment to Germany and to Viet Nam. His children are Althea and Christopher, Joseph and Andrew, Gary, Red Raven, Nan, and Sialik Hiosik Ray. Though Jonah's skills included electrician, communications, refrigeration tech etc, most of his employment included service oriented employment for various tribal communities; Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community , Gila River Indian Community, and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Apache Community. Jonah's paternal grandparents Joseph and Jennie Ray were devout Christians and lived out their O'Odham himdag. Jonah took the time to sit, listen and learn of the way of life, legends and songs of the On Akimel O'Odham from his paternal grandmother Jennie Ray. Jonah spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching the way of life (himdag) of the Pima. He participated with other O'Odham cultural leaders in the annual Unity run from Mexico through other O'Odham communities teaching and preserving cultural and traditional teachings, and songs of the O'Odham. A few of his last major effort was participating and encouraging through the O'Odham Niok class and teaching and singing every Sunday afternoon for the Stepp family dance group. Jonah is known throughout O'Odham communities for his leading and participation in the emergence of the numerous Coming Out ceremonies of our young O'Odham women. Throughout the past forty years he has made many friends, and colleagues in preserving our Himdag. He will be missed.