Mr. Ray B. Diamond, 81, of Florence, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at ECM Hospital. He was born in Louisa, Kentucky. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving as a naval aviator, retired agronomist with the International Fertilizer Development Center, and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.
Ray worked at TVA and then IFDC after graduating from the University of Florida with a Ph.D in Agronomy; during which time he worked in many developing countries and took great pride in teaching people to increase agricultural productivity and economic growth.
Visitation is today from noon-2 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. in Greenview Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John McKell officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Diamond was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Visie Diamond, and brother, Don Diamond.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Diamond, of Florence; daughters, Julie Ritz (Greg) of Ft. Worth, Texas, Stephanie Rivers, of Staunton, Virginia, and Stacy Smith (Billy), of Florence; and grandchildren, Steven and Amy Ritz, and Matthew, William, and Maggie Rivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Interfaith Caring Place at 300 Industry Street Suite 100, Florence, AL 35630; Westminster Presbyterian Church at 1520 Rickwood Rd. Florence, AL 35630; or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.
