1942
Larry
2012
Larry
January 30, 1942 — July 12, 2012
Larry Edward Ray
Larry Edward Ray, 70, died Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born January 30, 1942, in Paris, Tennessee, to Walton Edward Ray and Lucy Griffin Ray.
He graduated in 1960 from Grove High School in Paris and attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He worked as the assistant manager of the New Southern Hotel before beginning his career in the millwork industry. He was Vice President of Madison Millwork in Jackson and moved his family to Tupelo in 1981 to serve as President of Triangle Distributors. He later founded Great Homes Gallery, where he served as CEO until his retirement.
He was an active member of the community and previously served on the boards of Sav-a-Life and The Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and served as a volunteer small business mentor for the Renasant Center for Ideas? ?Smart Biz? program. He also served as National President of the Association of Millwork Distributors in 2008.
He was a dedicated member of Harrisburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, as a member of the sanctuary choir, and chaired the building committee during construction of the existing facility. His greatest ministry within the church was serving as a Sunday School teacher, which he did faithfully for the past 25 years.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who brought great joy to all who knew him. He leaves a legacy of genuine faithfulness, as he lived the call to glorify Christ in all circumstances.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Harrisburg Baptist Church. Private graveside services will be Sunday at Tupelo Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, with Rev. David Langerfeld officiating and Rev. Eddie Wren assisting. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sandra Oliver Ray; two sons, Greg Ray (Shannon) of Tupelo and Grant Ray of Memphis, Tennessee; one daughter, Heather Surholt (Shannon) of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Reagan Ray, Avery Ray, Anna Katherine Surholt, Ben Surholt and Walt Surholt; and his brother Jerry Ray (Amy) of Jackson, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Chris Ray, Mark Ray, Jay Oliver, Andy Oliver, Zachary Oliver, John Oliver and Graham Oliver.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Twitty-Rieves Sunday School Class of Harrisburg Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803; Harrisburg Baptist Church Building Fund, 4675 Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo, MS 38801; or Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, 100 Parkgate Extended #A2H, Tupelo, MS 38801.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at peguesfuneralhome.com.
Larry Edward Ray, 70, died Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born January 30, 1942, in Paris, Tennessee, to Walton Edward Ray and Lucy Griffin Ray.
He graduated in 1960 from Grove High School in Paris and attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He worked as the assistant manager of the New Southern Hotel before beginning his career in the millwork industry. He was Vice President of Madison Millwork in Jackson and moved his family to Tupelo in 1981 to serve as President of Triangle Distributors. He later founded Great Homes Gallery, where he served as CEO until his retirement.
He was an active member of the community and previously served on the boards of Sav-a-Life and The Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and served as a volunteer small business mentor for the Renasant Center for Ideas? ?Smart Biz? program. He also served as National President of the Association of Millwork Distributors in 2008.
He was a dedicated member of Harrisburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, as a member of the sanctuary choir, and chaired the building committee during construction of the existing facility. His greatest ministry within the church was serving as a Sunday School teacher, which he did faithfully for the past 25 years.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who brought great joy to all who knew him. He leaves a legacy of genuine faithfulness, as he lived the call to glorify Christ in all circumstances.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Harrisburg Baptist Church. Private graveside services will be Sunday at Tupelo Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, with Rev. David Langerfeld officiating and Rev. Eddie Wren assisting. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sandra Oliver Ray; two sons, Greg Ray (Shannon) of Tupelo and Grant Ray of Memphis, Tennessee; one daughter, Heather Surholt (Shannon) of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Reagan Ray, Avery Ray, Anna Katherine Surholt, Ben Surholt and Walt Surholt; and his brother Jerry Ray (Amy) of Jackson, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Chris Ray, Mark Ray, Jay Oliver, Andy Oliver, Zachary Oliver, John Oliver and Graham Oliver.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Twitty-Rieves Sunday School Class of Harrisburg Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803; Harrisburg Baptist Church Building Fund, 4675 Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo, MS 38801; or Parkgate Pregnancy Clinic, 100 Parkgate Extended #A2H, Tupelo, MS 38801.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at peguesfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, July 14, 2012
4:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Harrisburg Baptist Church
Guestbook
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