Obituary of John Wilson

John Wilton Ray Jr. ?Shorty? Mr. Ray, 85, of Charlotte, NC, died June 6, 2009 at The Carriage Club. He was born on June 16, 1923 in Charlotte, son of John Wilton and Johnsie Austin Ray. Mr. Ray graduated from Central High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served in the Army Air Corps in China, Burma and India during WWII and flew the Hump with the 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron. Shorty retired after 37 years from Shell Oil Company. He was also a member of the Miller Peoples Class at Sardis Presbyterian Church and a charter member of Cedarwood Country Club. He loved his family, traveling, and spending time at the family cabin at Lake Wylie. Mr. Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ray; two daughters, Elizabeth Anne Ray Mullinax and her husband, Tom, of Hilton Head Island, SC, Cathy McGee and her husband, Eric of Linville, NC; son, John W. Ray III and his wife, Jennifer of Charlotte, NC; four grandsons, John Michael Ray and his wife, Sally of Colorado Springs, CO, Jeremiah Alan Ray and his wife, Lisa of Smithfield, NC, Thomas Cole Mullinax and his wife, Karen, and John Zachary Mullinax, all of Hilton Head Island, SC; sister, Neal Ray Kennedy; and two sisters-in-law, Rachel Roberts and Betty Roberts. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ray was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law, Clarence Roberts, Ted Roberts and Hal Kennedy. Graveside service for Mr. Ray will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in the Sardis Presbyterian Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Jane B. Fobel officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Pat and the entire staff of the Carriage Club/ Arbors as well as to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, especially Frances. Memorials may be sent to Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270 or to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.