James Ray

James Ray

GARRETT - James "Michael" Ray, 60, of Garrett, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born to Donna Kay Olsen and James Eckford Ray on March 12, 1963, in Elkhart, Indiana.

He worked for Three Rivers Ambulance Authority in the 1990s, then became a paramedic, working with Lutheran EMS in Warsaw for several years prior to his ALS diagnosis and treatment.

He attended Trine University, previously known as Tri-State University, in 1996.

Survivors include his wife, Sheryl Ray, of Garrett, Indiana; children; Leah Carmichael, of Tennessee, James Ian Ray, of Tennessee, Bailey Alexandria Ray, of Indiana, and Nadia Ray, of Ohio; three grandchildren; siblings, Renee Miller, of Illinois, Denise Rodewald, of Florida, Steven Ray, of Indiana, David Ray, of Florida, Jared Horvath, of Michigan, Jason Horvath, of Alabama, and James Ray Jr., of Michigan; his beloved uncle, Roger McGuire; beloved aunt, Gayle Haws; and his mother, Donna Olsen Cooper, of Garrett, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Eckford Ray.

He was passionate about riding and taking care of his motorcycles, skydiving and was also an avid competitor in martial arts.

A memorial service will be held at the Auburn Moose Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at 3 p.m.

Memorials are preferred to ALS Association, 1300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209 or DeKalb Humane Society, 5730 C.R. 11A, Auburn, IN 46706.