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John Raymond Bray Jr. Ph.D.
John Raymond Bray Jr. Ph.D.
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John Bray Obituary
Ret. LTC, USAF
May 29, 1932- August 17, 2010
John "Jack" Raymond Bray passed away with his family at his side peacefully on August 17th, 2010 after a brief, sudden illness. He resided in Riverside, California with his wife of 53 years, at Air Force Village West.
Jack attended West Virginia University from 1950-1952; graduated from West Point in 1956, and earned his Master of Science and Engineering from Purdue University. After serving his country in Vietnam from 1965-1966, Jack spent the majority of his military career at White Sands Missile Range and Vandenberg Air Force Base, eventually retiring as Lt. Colonel from the United States Air Force. Jack was proud of his contributions to the Athena and Minuteman Missile projects.
After retiring, Jack went on to earn his Doctor of Philosophy Public Administration from Golden Gate University in 1982. He loved to teach and taught as an adjunct Professor at the School of Pubic Service and International Studies at Golden Gate University, as well as at Sacramento Community College.
As was eloquently said at his funeral mass, Jack's source of inspiration was Jesus Christ and his devotion to his wife, family and country was grounded and fueled by his devotion to his faith. Jack was a humble man, who found humor in everyday life. For those of us who were so lucky to have had him in our lives, we will always treasure his love and wisdom.
Jack is survived by his wife Martha R. Bray; children: John Raymond Bray III and wife Linda (Winston Salem, North Carolina); Mark R. Bray, wife Rose, and children Matthew and Victoria Rose (Lompoc, CA); Carrie Bray, partner Nancy Flores and children Sofia and Mateo (Sacramento, CA); sister Jeanne Ailes, husband David (Winter Park, Fl.), sister-in-law Jane DeBellis (Bowdon, GA) and nieces Jennifer Ottinger, Denise DeBellis and Nancy Perdicho. Jack is preceded in death by his parents Beatrice and John Raymond Bray.
Jack was laid to rest with full military honors on August 25, 2010 at Riverside National Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Terri O'Toole-Wuitschick
August 30, 2010
Carrie and family - my condolences to you and your family. Our prayers are with you.
Kay Duffy
August 29, 2010
My sincerest condolences go to the entire Bray family. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
August 28, 2010
Carrie - please accept our condolences for your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Chris & Rudy Reyes
Chuck Gorlinski '56
August 26, 2010
Martha and Family..
Jack’s path and mine crossed more when we were cadets at West Point then they did during the next 54 years following graduation. This picture is how I remember him as a quiet, pensive, friendly guy. I guess we shared a few classroom experiences together as well as tactical training in the field, but following graduation we were not to renew that friendship again until 7 March 1991 when LTG Dave Palmer ’56, our Classmate and then Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, delivered an address to the West Point Society of Northern California. We shared a table for that event and shared stories of the lapsed decades since we last spoke together. I specifically remember him proudly telling me of the heroic combat actions taken by Linda Bray in the Invasion of Panama in 1989. But later the Brays moved away and the next I heard was the sad news that Jack had succumbed to cancer.
Jack was a soldier and scholar. His military and academic accomplishments are well documented in West Point archives.
Well Done, Jack. Be Thou at Peace.
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