James Austin Ray Sr., 70, of Florence, Alabama, died at home on June 3, 2014. Visitation will be Friday, June 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. The Rev. Kenny Windsor will officiate funeral services Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m. in the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church sanctuary followed by burial in the church cemetery.
A native of Walker County, Alabama, James moved to the Shoals in 1962 to begin his thirty-year career at Ford Motor Company. A graduate of Cordova High School, he also attended Clayton State University and the University of Cincinnati. After his retirement from Ford, he founded Ray’s Machine Shop, Inc.
James was a devout Christian and an active member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. He was a member of UAW, a Central Heights civitan officer, a BSA Scoutmaster, and a U.S. Army veteran. He also coached numerous youth sports programs and was an avid Vanderbilt Commodore fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, China Marie Ray.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; children, James Austin Ray Jr. (Kim), of Cloverdale, Alabama, Amanda Ray Corkery (Chris), of Commerce, Georgia, Tara Ray Mixon (Mark), of Loganville, Georgia, and Christopher Austin Ray, of Florence, Alabama.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matt Price (Amanda), Taylor Ray, Ashlyn Corkery, Paxton Corkery, Colson Mixon, and Logan Mixon, and great-grandchildren, Brodie Price, Brock Price, Anna Blayke Price, and Brantley Strickland.
He is also survived by his sisters, Annette Martin, of Oak Grove, Kentucky, and Yvonne Williams, of Oneonta, Alabama, and his mother-in-law, Joyce C. Barley Ruth, of Florence, Alabama.
Pallbearers will be Matt Price, Mark Mixon, Chris Corkery, Paxton Corkery, Al Hammond, Austin McCain, Ferrin Bayles, and Roger Fowler. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert C. Mann and Jimmy Patterson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Pleasant Hill UMC Building Fund at 2705 County Rd. 222, Florence, AL 35633.
