Ray Comer

1933 - 2025

Ray Comer

March 8, 1933 - November 4, 2025

Ray (Mac) Comer, age 92 of Greensboro, N.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2025 in Lakeland, Fla. Ray spent most of his adult life in Greensboro, N.C., and the surrounding communities of Stokesdale and Oak Ridge, where he and his wife of 69 years, Gwen Comer, raised their family.

Ray was born on March 8, 1933, on a farm near Ellerbe, N.C., where he was the youngest of eight children. He earned his Bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University, and later earned his Master's degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. From 1957-1959, Ray served honorably in the U.S. Army. In 1959, he opened the new Agriculture Department at Stokesdale High School, and in 1963, he opened the Agricultural program at Northwest Guilford High School. He taught high school for 25 years, and was well loved by his students, as well as the other teachers and parents. He was gregarious and never met a stranger, and it was rare for him to go anywhere in the area without running into a former student or a parent. Ray loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting both deer and turkey. After his retirement from the school system, he had several jobs including overseeing a greenhouse, a landscaping business, and working with Hertz. He loved interacting with people and being on the go, whether through work or travel.

He and his wife, Gwen, loved to travel and they visited all 50 states and several other countries. They began their travels early in their marriage when Ray was stationed in Alaska during his time in the U.S. Army. They loved the adventure and spent their free time camping, fishing, and exploring. They made many life-long friends while in Alaska and went back several times, including an Alaskan cruise with family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Ray was an active member of his community, serving as church treasurer at Stokesdale UMC and as a member of the finance committee.

He was a 60-year Mason, and was a member of Stokesdale Lodge #428 where he served as its secretary for 27 years. Also a member of the Scottish Rite and York Rite, and Eastern Star, his commitment to Masonic service was a large part of his life. In 1996, he received the Joseph Montfort Medal by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in recognition of his service to Masonry.

Family and friends were very important to Ray and he loved gathering together to share a meal. He was often involved in planning and cooking the food. Holidays were especially meaningful, when his children and their families reunited. And he loved family reunions, being able to spend time with his brothers, sister, their spouses, and his many nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsay Wister Comer and Margaret McFayden Comer; his brothers John (Jack) Comer, Clinton Comer, Dudley Comer, Joseph (Joe) Comer, Hubert Comer, James Frederick (Fred) Comer, and his sister Margaret Comer Thompson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gwendolyn Maness Comer; his daughter Linda Comer (Craig McIntosh), his son Allen Comer (Tracy), and his daughter Laura Comer (Bob Sides). He also leaves behind his grandson Michael Smith (Mia Gregory), granddaughter Catherine Leneave (Stuart); and great-grandson Liam Leneave.

A celebration of life service will be held on November 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Stokesdale United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Stokesdale United Methodist Church, 8305 Loyola Drive, Stokesdale, NC 27357.

Forbis and Dick Funeral Service

8320 Hwy 158 Stokesdale