E. Ivor McCray III

A man with a smilethat fits his face,and wears it every day.If things go wronghe won't complain,just tries to see the joke.He's always finding little waysof helping other folk.He sees the good in everyone,their faults he never mentions,he has a lot of confidencein people's good intentions.You will know himif you meet himand you'll find itworth your whileto cultivate the friendship ofthis man with the smile.Ivor McCray was born in Los Angeles, California on September 25, 1927 to Edward Ivor McCray II and Rosalie Jones. He grew up in Hollywood, and graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1945. Ivor began his early working career as a golf caddy for Bob Hope at the age of 11. His path led him on to working in the oil fields of Texas and oil scouting for Shell Oil Company.Ivor joined the Merchant Marines Coast Guard from 1945 to 1946, serving aboard the S.S. Jordan Valley in Baltimore, Maryland. Ivor was also a soldier in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War from 1951 to 1952.Ivor moved to Olympia, Washington in 1955, where he established himself as Ivor McCray's Inc., and became a highly respected businessman for more than 40 years. Several years after arriving in Olympia Ivor married Sheri Johnston; together they had Ivor McCray IV and Dayn McCray. Sheri passed away in 1967. He later married Victoria Ann Hunt; together they had Rhys McCray.Ivor loved his family and friends more than anything. He enjoyed many weekends surrounded by loved ones at their Hood Canal cabin with oysters, crab, fireworks, laughter, and years of great memories. He also enjoyed in earlier years spending time hunting and fishing with his boys. He had a passion for tinkering with old cars. Ivor loved ice cream and cookies with his grandchildren.Ivor was a personality you could not resist, making friends everywhere he went! In fact, we like to think of him as the mayor that never got elected and never lost office. Ivor and Vickie became snowbirds two years ago in Rancho Mirage, California at Desert Braemar, where Ivor became known as "The Ambassador of Desert Braemar", a fitting title no one would dispute.Ivor was very proud of his longtime affiliation with the Afifi Shriners, and was most recently accepted as a Jester. He was equally proud of his membership in the Elks, the Eagles, and the American Legion.Ivor is survived by his wife of 35 years, Victoria Ann McCray, of Olympia; three sons, Ivor McCray IV and Rhys McCray, both of LaQuinta, California, and Dayn McCray, of Rochester, Washington; daughters-in-law, Dana McCray and April McCray, both of LaQuinta, California; and his wonderful grandchildren, Ivor V, Brei, Cade, and Kira McCray. He is also survived by his sisters, Melinda Sorenson, of Rancho Mirage, California, and Melissa Gribble, of Texas; and brother, Greg McCray, of Los Angeles, California.Ivor will be loved, cherished, and honored for the admirable person he was and for the many wonderful memories with which he has left his family and friends. We will miss him dearly!A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2003, at the Masonic Center, 521 North St S.E., Tumwater. Interment will follow in Masonic Memorial Park. Arrangements by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, (360) 753-1065.Memorial donations may be made in Ivor's memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239.