Raymond H. Ray, Jr.

Raymond H. Ray, Jr., 75, resident of Columbia, passed away on August 23, 2025 surrounded with love from his family near and afar.

Ray was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 24, 1950 to Raymond H. Ray, Sr. and Anna Pauline Portwood Ray. Known as “Raymie” to his five older sisters and “Ray Ray” to his friends, Ray grew up on the West side of Indianapolis. In 1968, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served until 1972 performing electrical maintenance on airplanes. His service time included being stationed in Bangkok, Thailand and Diego Garcia during the Vietnam War. He married Roberta “Bobbie” Kathryn Ray on May 17, 1975. Ray worked for General Motors for 32 years and was a member of Columbia First United Methodist Church since 1999.

He was a devoted husband and father, and his strong, quiet steadiness will be dearly missed. Ray loved bass fishing and spending time outdoors with his family and friends, including fishing with his son-in-law, Corey, and playing baseball with his grandson, Luke.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Bobbie Ray, his daughter Jill Giles, son-in-law Corey Giles, grandson Luke Giles, his sisters Betty Duke, Norma McGlothin, Nancy Roberts, Donna Gibson, and brother-in-law Steve Gibson.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Anna Ray, sister Lou Ellen Toombs, and brothers-in-law Jim Toombs, Kent Duke, Mack McGlothin, and Larry Roberts.

Visitation will be held from 4:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. on Friday, August 29th at Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. A private memorial service for Ray’s family will be held at 10:00a.m. Saturday, August 30th at Columbia First United Methodist Church and led by Pastors Stephen Sauls and Dedra Campbell.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ray’s nieces and nephews and all employees of Clark Marine Boat Sales in Franklin, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Columbia First United Methodist Church, 222 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 and designated to either the Wheelchair Ramp Ministry or FreshSTART Program.

The family would like to express a special thank you to those friends that supported Ray during his courageous battle with cancer including Stuart Fraser, Trent Peterson, and Mark Witherow.