James Ray
James Ray, 73, passed away on Friday, February 19, 2021.
He was a resident of Chattanooga and a United States Army veteran, having served in Vietnam. James was retired from the Chattanooga Fire and Police Department, where he was instrumental in fabricating numerous police, fire, and rescue vehicles. After retirement, he was called to volunteer his fabricating skills on the firetruck at the Kennedy Outpatient Center at Erlanger. James also crafted the millennium time capsule for the City of Chattanooga, and helped build a beautiful birdhouse to present to the Chinese government of Wuxi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Margie Dale Ray, and brother, Larry Ray.
James is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean Ray; son, Kevin (Melissa) Ray; stepson, Jason (Lisa) Hill, Jr.; daughter, Michelle (Josh) Lillard; grandchildren, Ashley (Alfredo), Amber, Tanner, Miranda, and Jacob; great-grandson, Diego; special nephew, Preston; several aunts, uncles, cousins; close friend, Kenneth Clack and family, as well as his Hungry House family.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Mark with Hospice of Chattanooga.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m.–12:45 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home at Highway 58. A funeral service will follow at 12:45 p.m. in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Hospice of Chattanooga or to the Rees Skillern Cancer Institute at CHI Memorial.
James will be laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
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Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423 622-3171.