Maj. Ray Minga Ret.

1925 - 2015

AMORY – Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Ray Minga, 89, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Sanctuary Hospice House. Born on August 24, 1925, in Greenwood Springs, he was a son of the late Walter Lee and Annie Laura Cox Minga.
He honorably served in the U,S, Navy and was discharged on April 18, 1946. Ray attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a B.S. degree in math from Livingston University. He served in the Air National Guard, in the Air Force Reserves, and as an Air Force Academy Liaison Officer in Florida until retiring on August 17, 1974. From 1972 – 1975, Ray taught at Colonial High School in Orlando. Joining Martin-Marietta, now Lockheed Martin, in Orlando as a data control engineer, he was involved in the development of the Pershing Missile and retired in 1982 after a successful career in the aerospace industry.
In the fall of 1991, he married Winnie Gilmore. A proud father, who was of the Lutheran faith, Ray's life revolved around his family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife in their motor home with his brother and sister-in-law; his dogs, Susie, Maggie and Barney; listening to country music; collecting and refining antiques; painting; and working with stained glass.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Winnie Gilmore Minga, Amory; daughters, Carla Minga Judy, Safety Harbor and Lake Mary, Fla., Patti Housley (Jim), Sanford, Fla., Cathy Brewin (Gary), Orlando, and Denni Breen (Matt), Longwood, Fla.; sister, Peggy Parrish, Savannah, Ga.; brother, Aubrey W. Minga (Hilda), Amory; six grandchildren, Joshua Judy, Kari Bruce, Sagely Shubert, Taylor Judy, Matthew Breen Jr. and Loren Breen; seven great-grandchildren, Donovan, Jackson, J.J., Keilan, Layla, Macie and Jared Jr.; niece and nephews, Dennis, Mike, Bobby, Gil, Al and Terry.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with the Rev. Don McCain officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Crenshaw Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 to 1:50 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.