Michael Alexander Ray

1960 - 2024

RAY, Michael Alexander, After a sudden illness, surrounded by his children and sisters, Michael Alexander Ray died of natural causes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Michael was the eldest son of James and Catherine Ray. He spent his youth with his siblings and friends enjoying the mountains and rivers of West Virginia and Virginia. He continued to do so with his family into adulthood. He loved all creatures great and small but was particularly fond of reptiles. It was from his own personal struggles that he showed love and compassion for anything and anyone that was hurting. Mike brought numerous recovery meetings to local prisons and hospitals. As the owner and lead Machinist of M. A. Ray Machine & Fabrication, he not only supported his family but countless others by hiring and training persons who were in need. Michael recognized suffering in the world and did all he could to lend a hand and to leave the world a better place than he found it. His favorite pastimes were spending time searching for critters along the banks of the James River with his daughter, Stephanie and enjoying conversations of faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with his son, Jeremy. He also grew to love the annual Siblings Ray Cruise. As a result of the deep love and devotion of his sister, Sarah, Mike spent his final years in the Colorado mountains which led him to believe in the power of God within the natural world and it was there that he worshiped.

He was predeceased by his father, James Roberts Ray; brothers James Roberts Ray, Jr and John Andrew Ray; grandmothers Catherine Couston Tissot and Ellouise Ray Simmons (Rome).

Michael is survived by his wife Phyllis D. Ray and her beloved family; children Jeremy Alexander Ray (Larson) and Stephanie Diane Ray; mother, Catherine T. Ray; sisters Sarah Ray Pickard (Paul Zimmerman) and Jennie Ray Hart; cousins Chester E. Ray, III (Jeri) and Kristina Ray (Jesse); Sister in law, Gayle M. Volk; nieces Emely M.V. Ray and Mia Volk Ray. To be cherished and cared for by his daughter he left his dog, Trace and his pet snake, Sally.

A Service in the Celebration of his Life will be held 12 p.m. Friday, March 8th at Woodlake United Methodist Church in Chesterfield, Va.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado www.wildanimalsanctuary.org or help someone who is hurting.