Robert Camp Ray

RAY, Robert Camp, passed away peacefully in his sleep, September 28, 2010. He was born

November 11, 1917, to Sallie Camp Ray and Burton J. Ray. He was raised in Franklin, Va., attended Franklin schools and Woodbury Forest School in Madison County, Va., before going to Cornell University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, in history, in 1940. While at Cornell, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, president of his senior class, and, as an active member of the ROTC, was appointed cadet lt. colonel, his senior year. Bob came from a prominent family in Virginia, where his grandfather and brothers founded Camp Manufacturing Company, which merged with Union Bag Corporation, becoming Union-Camp Corporation, the second largest paper mill in the world. Bob was called into active service in 1940, serving as major and commander of the 270th Field Artillery Battalion, which was assigned to the Third U.S. Army, under the command of General George S. Patton. In 1944, he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service. After the war, Bob returned home to Franklin, where he founded Franklin Concrete Products Corporation. He served as president of the Virginia Concrete Masonry Association and the Virginia Ready-Mix Concrete Association. He was active in the Franklin Baptist Church, the primary organizer of Franklin YMCA, and was commissioned captain in the U.S. National Guard of Virginia, serving as commanding officer of Battery B, until 1951. Bob lived for many years in Aspen, Colo., and Scottsdale, Ariz., before he and his wife, Anne moved back east to homes in Tryon, N.C. and Tampa. Bob said he was one of the fortunate ones, who enjoyed a full and joyful life, from the moment he was born. He loved people and was well loved in return. He is survived by his wife, Anne Brooker Ray; two sons, Richard H. Ray of Virginia Beach, Va. and Robert B. Ray of Durango, Col.; three granddaughters, Sallie Ray and Katherine Ray Osteen of Virginia Beach, VA., and Elizabeth Ray of Arizona; a great-grandson, Logan Miller Osteen of Virginia Beach; two stepdaughters, Rebecca Williams of Tampa and Jennifer James of Ashland, Ore.; four step-grandchildren, Anne Scott Vela, William Scott and Rebecca Scott, of Tampa, and Ry Matthew, of Ashland A memorial service will take plce at 3 p.m. Sunday, October3, at the Grand Court, in Tampa. A graveside service will take place at the family plot, at Poplar Springs Cemetery, in Franklin, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Please sign the online guestbook at www. blountcurrymacdill.com.