Raymond Lake, 81, of Tuscumbia, passed away at home Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. He was formally from Granite City, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ramond F. Lake, Sr.; mother, Caroline Lake; sister, LaVerne Black; and grandson, Jeffery A. Lake, Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Lake; daughters, Deborah (ONeal) Dodson and Lynda (Steve) Howard; sons, Jeffery Lake and Michael (Tammy) Lake; fifteen grandchildren, Benjamin Childers, Brian Childers, Andrea Lake, Lannie Lake, Jessica Gonzales, Elizabeth Rowell, Scott Howard, Stephanie Willbanks, Shawn Howard, Stephen Howard, Kevin Dodson, and Christina Lake; step grandsons, Chris Dodson and Will Bullock. Twenty-three great-grandchildren, Jeffery Lake III, Tristen Childers, Slade Rowell, Brysen Childers, Ezekiel Lake, Ethan Lake, Aden Childers, Colton Willbanks, Kellin Childers, Mariah Lake, Serenity Lake, Prentice Mulley, Allora Lake, Alexia Howard, Elizabeth Howard, Emma Howard, Amora Gonzales, Adalyn Gonzales, and Cecelie Lake; step great-grandchildren, Megan Dodson, Morgan Dodson, Dawson Anderson and Deron Worrell; great-grandchild 24 is expected in December.
Ray served in the United States Army. He attended the Nike Guided Missile School in Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon graduating he was stationed in White Sands, New Mexico, and was later stationed in Laurel, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Ray received his honorable discharge in 1956.
Ray and Betty were married August 15, 1953. Ray was in the restaurant business 45 years. He was a manager of the Sonic Drive-In of Muscle Shoals, later named Coney Island Drive-In, when Ray became owner. His passion, other than his wife, was racing and owning stock cars. Ray was owner of Track Side Racing Supplies. Ray retired in 1999 from the restaurant business. Ray and Betty traveled and went to Europe several times. When Ray could no longer travel because of dementia, he spent his time with Betty and family.
Ray donated his body to science and will be cremated. The family request in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to St. Judes or The Epilepsy Foundation and Cure.
Celebration of Ray’s life will be held at a later date. Family and friends will be notified.
