Fred Ray Obituary
Fred Wilson Ray was born on April 29, 1940, and passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the age of 85. A service will be held on November 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home in Northport, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor John Jenkins and Reverend David Thompson, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Williamson Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel North directing.
Fred was a 1958 graduate of Tuscaloosa County High School. He attended college at The University of Alabama and taught college-level construction courses. Fred served briefly in the United States Army and then in the United States Naval Construction Battalions (Navy Seabees), from which he retired after 25 years of service.
He worked hard all his life to provide for his family. His career began in residential and commercial construction, where he became a master carpenter. He later worked at The University of Alabama as the Maintenance Supervisor and then retired from the City of Tuscaloosa as Chief Building Inspector.
He was predeceased by his parents, Velma and Lonnie Ray; brother, L.P. Edmondson; sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Bill Cadenhead; step-daughter, Connie Evans; and granddaughter, Jade-Ann Nicole Hall.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Skelton Ray, and their children and families: Leigh Ann Whitten (Brian) of Toney, AL; Carrie Crosby (Rodney) of Orlando, FL; Kemmie Evans of Northport, AL; Danny Hall, Jr. (Susan) of Northport, AL; Ashley Tunnell (William) of Northport, AL; and Tina Thompson (David) of Homewood, AL; grandchildren Morgan and Logan Whitten; Blake and Marianna Evans; Robbie and Jacob Hall; Haley, Caleb and Savannah Crosby; Colton, Tanner, Olivia, Ryleigh and Colton Lane Tunnell; and Madelyn, Anna, Lily and Hadley Thompson; and great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Brian Whitten, Kemmie Evans, Danny Hall, Jr., William Tunnell, David Thompson, Jr. and Colton Tunnell.
Honorary pallbearers are Knute Christian, Sr., Rodney Crosby, Jerome Evans, James Lankford and James Ray.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Hospice of West Alabama or Northport Baptist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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