Donald Bray Obituary
Donald Lawrence Bray (82) was born breach during a massive unexpected snowstorm in Olwein, Iowa...a vivid forecast of the 82 years of adventure that lay ahead. On January 9, 1961, he was born again. From that moment on, Christ became the center of his life and his first love forever. Raised in Chicago, Don had a lifetime love affair with the Cubs & the Bears no matter how dismal their seasons were! In fact, any sport that happened to be on TV at any time of day was his favorite!
The first day he met Joy, he was smitten! So was she! Don and Joy became one on August 15, 1964, falling more in love every day of the 61 years they shared. Over a nine-year span living as missionaries in Papua New Guinea, Don experienced dozens of miracles which he often repeated as "Don's stories:" The Thumb Story, The Waterfall Story, The Resurrection Story, etc. Those early years formed and shaped his life as he spent over 30 years in international missions. Traveling to over 80 countries, he was often welcomed as "Uncle Don" by the children, as "Dr. Bray" by church leaders. He never cared about titles, preferring simply to unconditionally love each person he met. His authenticity and occasionally offbeat sense of humor enabled him to deliver "bad news" or needed correction so gently that it was usually received with grace. His leadership was marked by fearless innovation, focused resolve, and infectious optimism.
Over the past 18 years, he obtained a new title: Pastor Don. His wisdom, life experience, and teaching added value to countless lives connected with Christ Fellowship Church in southeast Florida. But by far the greatest joy and pride of his earthly life were his six children, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Grandpa Don dunked his grandkids in the pool, took them camping, told corny jokes, and made them feel like rock stars. His amazing, diverse family is his greatest legacy. They will miss him every day.
Don's Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Fellowship, 10250 SW Village Pkwy, Port St Lucie, FL 34987 at 4 pm on Sunday, September 28.
Memorial donations may be made to any of the following:
Christ Fellowship Church
https://www.christfellowship.church/give#give
Please choose the Missions Fund
OR checks may be sent to Christ Fellowship Church, Attn: Contributions, 5343 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418. Please note Don Bray in the memo.
World Hope International
https://worldhope.org/give/hope-fund/
Global Partners, The Wesleyan Church
https://wesleyan.my.site.com/donorportal/s/projects?p=1&term=Png
FSHD (Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy) Society
https://www.fshdsociety.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Steve and Ruth Woolsey Strand
September 28, 2025
How grateful we were for mentor and friend Don Bray as we prepared for and served with Global Partners in Honduras. Don was a visionary leader and a winsome witness to the good news. He exuded the love of Jesus. Don had a huge heart and practical wisdom to relate to "the local people." He had a great sense of humor, as when he'd often prophetically challenge the status quo by asking, "Is this too deep for you?"
II Corinthians 6:6-7 aptly describes the ministry Don and Joy shared, "We conduct ourselves with innocence, knowledge, patience and kindness in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, with the message of truth and the power of God." With love and gratitude, Steve & Ruth Woolsey Strand
Dennis & Kathy Barrett
September 25, 2025
We will always remember the day Pastors Don and Joy visited our home. Pastor Don and my husband, Dennis, strolled out to his workshop, while Joy and I stayed in the house and chatted over coffee. I don't know what sparked the conversation in the workshop that morning, but I do know when we prayed and said our goodbyes, the grace and peace of Jesus lingered, and the warmth of Christian love and laughter filled our home.
What a legacy Don has left, and you continue, Joy, for your family and the rest of us, who love you so much. Warmest regards, Dennis and Kathy
Carol Archer Krause
September 25, 2025
Remembering my cousin Don and all the Bray family, and praying especially for Joy during these difficult days. To think that Don is now with Marti and their parents, as well as with my brothers (Don's cousins), Wayne and Lynn Archer. May the Lord give you special strength and peace. With love, Carol Rose Archer Krause (and husband Harold).
Harry F. Wood
September 20, 2025
Don Bray was an amazing person. However one moment stands out in my memory. He and I were in Australia for the 50th Year Anniversary Celebration of The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia. Included in the gathering were a delegation of Wesleyans from Papua New Guinea. As we stood together the delegation approached me with him standing alongside. They wanted to express their appreciation for The Wesleyan Church sending missionaries to their country, Don among them. Then they said, "Here is a pastor's wife with her five children whose husband recently was martyred for his faith." He then said, "before they came we used to hate, kill and eat our enemies, now we love them and seek to share Jesus Christ with them. The missionaries brought Jesus to us and now we take Jesus to our enemies. Thank you." I knew this was not just a tribute to the Church I served, but to the man who stood at my side." Only God really knows the true impact of this man's life.
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Steven
September 20, 2025
I was so blessed to be with Don in our Kaleo group (specially since I was the only male in the group). He was always such a great encouragement to me and Charla and will be missed.
Jim Keilholtz
September 20, 2025
So surprised and saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend. We were together with Don and Joy during our first two terms as missionaries in PNG, starting in 1972. Don and Joy were wonderful friends and co-workers. Among their many duties was to be "parents" to the missionary children at the children´s hostel, which included our daughter, so the kids could attend the international school in town. Don was fun-loving, caring, and God-loving, yet firm. The kids loved their "Uncle Don" and Joy. They were the perfect couple to help our kids living away from their own homes in strange circumstances.
Fun-loving, caring, and God-loving, but firm-also described his relationship with the missionaries under his leadership as Mission Director. Don was our valuable mentor in prioritizing friendship with National Church leaders and in helping us and them catch a vision of what the Church could become. His faith in tough times was an inspiration to us. We will miss him and will never forget him.
Lyn Diane Snyder
September 20, 2025
So sorry for your loss but Heaven´s gain.
He definitely lived a full life &!what a legacy he has left behind. We went to Marion to college & he was an Amphibian & Duaine Snyder & I were
Eurekans. A lot of competition &
laughs between us. Those were great years. Duaine & I married in 1965 &
he & Joy visited us while we were pastoring in Grand Rapids, MI.
The family will continue to be in my thoughts & prayers. (Duaine passed in
2023.)
God Bless you,
Lyn Snyder
203 N.Point Dr.
Archbold, OH 43502
Rick and Ann Stuck
September 19, 2025
Don can say, with the Apostle Paul, "Follow me as I follow Christ." Don always gave Ann and I sound advice. Don was a faithful discipler of Christ. We are greatful to have had his example. Our Father's richest mercies are ours for ever.
Jenny Starts
September 16, 2025
Pastor Don will forever be part of our families story. A great man of God! I am so thankful he came to sit beside us and pray, this man carried the presence of the Lord into the trauma center. Thank you Joy for sharing your husband that Mother´s Day and so many other times. I´m praying for you and sending a hug!
Ed Velazquez
September 15, 2025
To The Family of Don Bray!
I want you all to know how important the "Bray" family has been to me, my wife Marilee and daughter Noelle. Growing up in Chicago, we saw a lot of each other at Austin Wesleyan Church. Don's Dad was Poppa Bray, who cared about us and babysat our Noelle and prayed me out of the clutchess of hell. His mother was instrumental in getting me to go to Church camp where I met my wife, Marilee. After one of my trips to the alters at camp, Don came to my house to talk to me about how to grow in the Lord. I was privilaged to be there to help Don and Joy bring down the barrels from his second floor flat and load them onto a trailer that got hooked up to my brother's station wagon and hauled to the train station en route to Papua New Guinea. Our family was privilaged again when Don and Joy came to see our Christmas Production of "From Heavens Throne" at IWU Performing Arts Center. He wrote us such a wonderful and glowing letter how his parents would've been so proud of all three of us for our part in the production!
Some day we will all rejoice and gather once again as a family around the Throne of God with Jesus our Savior! Yeah boy!
Ed Velazquez
Keith and JoAnn Hinton
September 15, 2025
We are saddened at the passing of Don, yet we also rejoice that he has victoriously finished the race God set before him. He truly was a giant for the cause of Christ. His life has had a powerful influence on many and we are among that vast number. Our prayers are being lifted for Joy and all the family.
Thomas Geary
September 14, 2025
I first met Don as a guest speaker at CF men's
Friday breakfast fellowship at Smith Chaple. His stories of life missions always showed God's grace & mercy in his life. Til we meet again.
Jerry Pence
September 14, 2025
Hosting missionary guests in our home was a special privilege as a local pastor. My wife Calene and I first met Don Bray when he visited our church in Concordia, Kansas in the mid-1980s. I still recall him at our dining room table, trying to teach us and our two sons how to count to ten in pidgin, the trade language he learned in Papua New Guinea. Looking back now, it marked the beginning of a friendship to span the next 40 plus years, as our paths began crossing more and more frequently-professionally and personally. Don became a mentor and colleague as we worked together in denominational leadership roles at Wesleyan Church World Headquarters. His unique laughter and insightful wisdom both were part of countless business meetings, retreats, conferences, coffee breaks, and Christmas parties. Calene and I rejoice over memories of Don and Joy helping us and other friends start a new church in Fishers, Indiana, and an unforgettable trip we shared with them in Japan and South Korea. Our hearts are full of gratitude for Don´s faith and faithfulness, as well as sorrow for Joy during her temporary separation from him. Together, we look forward with hope in Christ to our resurrection reunion in heaven.
Jim Dunn
September 14, 2025
Don was a choice servant of our Lord. He was relentlessly and kindly focused on advancing the Kingdom of God. I am better for following Jesus with him, being friends with him, and traveling the globe for our Lord with him. My prayers are with Joy and your entire family!
Carla Taylor
September 14, 2025
My fondest memories of Pastor Don were at the evening prayer meetings in the sanctuary at CF Gardens. He opened our eyes of the loving Father God and showed us how to see him as Abba Father.
Also shared the seriousness and power we can call on to cast out demons. Witnessing this first hand built my faith to be all that God has gifted me to be.
Wonderful man of God and so glad that he impacted my life and so many others.
See you again someday.
HC Wilson
September 14, 2025
My sincere condolences on the loss of Don here coupled with praise that he has been "promoted to Glory" there, to borrow the term from the Salvation Army.
Don followed me as DS in the Delta District and years later I followed him as General Director at GP. Being joined in ministry across the years revealed a man fully devoted to the Master, the mission and the Gospel mandate. He also held his wife Joy and their extended family deep in his heart and always in his prayers.
Jerry Gerber
September 13, 2025
In the spring of 2022 as I neared retirement, I asked Pastor Don if he would mentor me through the transition. Pastor Don very generously agreed. For several sit-downs in his office I brought ideas and questions, and Pastor Don shared solid biblical perspectives, life wisdom, and lots of stories to guide me. He was so gracious in sharing, and saying he enjoyed our times. In one story of a personally financially challenging overseas missions trip in which Pastor Don observed another missionary had much better organizational support, he chose to fully surrender his concerns and totally submit to God's will and plan. I honor Pastor Don for his generosity, wisdom, and selfless, committed service to God, to so many, and personally even to me.
Don Glenn
September 13, 2025
It was my privilege to know Don and Joy first as friends and then as co-workers in the Kingdom. It was an honor to visit and serve with them while they were actively ministering in Papua New Guinea. I'm glad friendships don't die, they are looking-forward-to-the-next-reunion. Prayerfully caring for Joy and the family.
Hailey shuldiner
September 13, 2025
Hey don was the best man I ever met with joy at Christmas fellowship in palm beach gardens with my mom and rip
Norman Wilson
September 12, 2025
Don was my brother-in-Christ, my mentor, my colleague. and my friend. The years that I served in Global Partners under Don's leadership had a huge impact on my life and ministry. My wife Kim and I have many wonderful memories that we deeply cherish. Our hearts go out to his wife Joy and his children, who are continually in our prayers.
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