Obit of Ray, James Edward - Grady County, Oklahoma Transcribed by: Gene Phillips 10 Jul 2005 Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Ray, James Edward James Edward, "Buss" was born July 3, 1918 in Minco, OK and passed away on January 25, 2003 in Merced. Weighing in at three pounds at birth, he was a survivor. He grew up strong on Oklahoma farm land. He and his family left the dust storms and came to California around 1938 to work on a lemon ranch in Oxnard. He got his nickname as a little boy. When James was mad, he would lay on the floor and hold his breath. His family would tell him that he was going to "bust". After some time they just called him "Buss". Serving in the Army during World War II, Buss was on a transport ship carrying wounded to the large hospital ships. This was in the Mediterranean and European area. He was a caregiver many times in his life. He was a loving husband and a very gifted man. He could do most anything he set his mind to do, from art work to inventing a tool for a job he had undertaken, from well drilling, carpentry, painting, selling cars, law enforcement and many others, to having his own business. He was a member of Bible Christian Church of LeGrand, Circle of Friends, AARP, and a former member of the American Legion in Oklahoma and Merced. He was preceded in death by his parents James Delbert Ray and Ruth Dixon Ray; his wife of 39 years Lorene Quick Ray; a sister Anna Winters and a step son, Darrell Alexander of Merced. He leaves behind his wife Betty June Ray of Merced; his son James L. Ray of OKC, OK; grandson James Caldwell of McKinney, TX; granddaughter Mariah Anise Ray of Oklahoma City, OK; three great grandchildren, Jack, Clare and Emma Caldwell of McKinney, TX; a sister Lavern Garman of Ventura, CA; stepsons Michael, Mark and David Alexander of Merced; stepdaughters Beth Milliken and Jomarie George of Le Grand; two nieces, three nephews; twenty four grand and great grandchildren; as well as many friends. A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 3, 2003 at 11:00am at Memorial Park in Oklahoma City, OK. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Mercy Dominican Hospital for their kindness and care. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Chapel. Published in the Oklahoman on 2/1/2003. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html