Daniel Edward Bray Jr.

BRAY, Daniel Edward Jr., sank his final putt and moved on to the 19th hole on July 28, 2011 after a short illness. Dan was born on April 13, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Richmond, Virginia where he spent most of his life. In 2007, he moved to Williamsburg and most recently was a resident of the Gardens of Warwick Forest in Newport News. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Va. in 1946 and then received his BS from Hampden-Sydney College in 1950. He joined the U.S. Air Force and trained to fly the F-80 Shooting Star at Hondo Air Force Base in Texas. After serving his country, he returned to Richmond and attended the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1958. Upon graduation he took a job as a lobbyist for the Virginia Manufacturer's Association. As a staunch Republican, Dan ran for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1971. Although he did not win, he always maintained the importance of exercising his right to vote and making his opinion known. He practiced law in the Richmond area until his retirement in 1993. He was a former Boy Scout, Indian Guide and past president of the Sons of the American Revolution. He also served on the Goochland Business Planning Commission. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry and sang in the Men's Choir. He enjoyed music and sang barbershop choral music with the Tobaccoland Chorus (now known as the Virginians) for many years. He was a loving husband and devoted father whose priority was taking care of his family. He always said that his greatest accomplishment was raising his son and daughter. He was also a passionate golfer and spent much of his retirement playing different courses in the area and the state. He was a member of Oak Hill Golf Course until it closed. Afterwards he joined the Hollows Golf Club, ultimately working there until he moved to Williamsburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Edward Bray Sr. and Nancy Jane Pursell Bray; and his wife of 56 years, Betty Lewis Harvard Bray. He is survived by his two children, Daniel Edward Bray III and his wife, Tina, and Marianne "Molly" Bray Stout and her husband, John; and three grandchildren, Deborah Bray, Jeff Stout and David Stout. The family will receive friends at the Nelsen Funeral Home at 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Va. from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. There will be a service following at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.