Retired Chief Steward Marshall Edward Ray Jr passed December 9, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Affectionately known as Chief Ray, he was born on July 8, 1924 to Marshall E. Ray Sr and Mamie Chisolm Ray in a small bayou community in Houma, Louisiana.
Chief Ray joined the US Navy in September 1941 and was assigned to the USS Hornet October 1941. He served during the World War II, and the Korean War.
While serving on the USS Hornet Chief Ray became part of a top-secret mission to test if Army bombers could take off successfully from the flight deck. The mission was successful. On April 18, 1942, 16 B-25 Army bombers launched from the flight deck of the USS Hornet for a mission known as the “Jimmy Doolittle” raids. He was aboard the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Guadalcanal campaign. In 1945, Chief Ray was stationed on the island Tinian of the Marianas Arch south of Japan. It was from this location that Army Air Force bombers flew from there and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which Japan later surrendered, ending the war in the Pacific.
After his serving 21 years in the Navy, Chief Ray was employed by the Department of Defense. He attended Tidewater Community College for 2 years studying Accounting.
Chief Ray married his wife, Gloria Stokes, on July 9, 1954, while stationed in Norfolk, VA. His Sister-in-law, Jacqueline "Aunt Jack" recalls her father, Douglas Stokes, asking him to take care of his daughter Gloria and her younger sisters after his passing, which he did. Out of their union were born 7 children.
Chief Ray, later in life, accepted Jesus Christ into his life. He began attending church with a friend and watch several Ministers on television.
Preceded in death by his son Douglas Ray, brother Norman Ray Sr. and sister Rose Jones (FAG #23658826).
Survived by his children Rev. Anthony Ray, Linda (Leon) Blount, Rev. Mamie (Elder Garry), Marshall (Brenda) Ray, Gloria Ray, Jacqueline Butts and Deacon Edward Branch; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.
Affectionately known as Chief Ray, he was born on July 8, 1924 to Marshall E. Ray Sr and Mamie Chisolm Ray in a small bayou community in Houma, Louisiana.
Chief Ray joined the US Navy in September 1941 and was assigned to the USS Hornet October 1941. He served during the World War II, and the Korean War.
While serving on the USS Hornet Chief Ray became part of a top-secret mission to test if Army bombers could take off successfully from the flight deck. The mission was successful. On April 18, 1942, 16 B-25 Army bombers launched from the flight deck of the USS Hornet for a mission known as the “Jimmy Doolittle” raids. He was aboard the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Guadalcanal campaign. In 1945, Chief Ray was stationed on the island Tinian of the Marianas Arch south of Japan. It was from this location that Army Air Force bombers flew from there and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which Japan later surrendered, ending the war in the Pacific.
After his serving 21 years in the Navy, Chief Ray was employed by the Department of Defense. He attended Tidewater Community College for 2 years studying Accounting.
Chief Ray married his wife, Gloria Stokes, on July 9, 1954, while stationed in Norfolk, VA. His Sister-in-law, Jacqueline "Aunt Jack" recalls her father, Douglas Stokes, asking him to take care of his daughter Gloria and her younger sisters after his passing, which he did. Out of their union were born 7 children.
Chief Ray, later in life, accepted Jesus Christ into his life. He began attending church with a friend and watch several Ministers on television.
Preceded in death by his son Douglas Ray, brother Norman Ray Sr. and sister Rose Jones (FAG #23658826).
Survived by his children Rev. Anthony Ray, Linda (Leon) Blount, Rev. Mamie (Elder Garry), Marshall (Brenda) Ray, Gloria Ray, Jacqueline Butts and Deacon Edward Branch; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.
Retired Chief Steward Marshall Edward Ray Jr passed December 9, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Affectionately known as Chief Ray, he was born on July 8, 1924 to Marshall E. Ray Sr and Mamie Chisolm Ray in a small bayou community in Houma, Louisiana.
Chief Ray joined the US Navy in September 1941 and was assigned to the USS Hornet October 1941. He served during the World War II, and the Korean War.
While serving on the USS Hornet Chief Ray became part of a top-secret mission to test if Army bombers could take off successfully from the flight deck. The mission was successful. On April 18, 1942, 16 B-25 Army bombers launched from the flight deck of the USS Hornet for a mission known as the “Jimmy Doolittle” raids. He was aboard the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Guadalcanal campaign. In 1945, Chief Ray was stationed on the island Tinian of the Marianas Arch south of Japan. It was from this location that Army Air Force bombers flew from there and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which Japan later surrendered, ending the war in the Pacific.
After his serving 21 years in the Navy, Chief Ray was employed by the Department of Defense. He attended Tidewater Community College for 2 years studying Accounting.
Chief Ray married his wife, Gloria Stokes, on July 9, 1954, while stationed in Norfolk, VA. His Sister-in-law, Jacqueline "Aunt Jack" recalls her father, Douglas Stokes, asking him to take care of his daughter Gloria and her younger sisters after his passing, which he did. Out of their union were born 7 children.
Chief Ray, later in life, accepted Jesus Christ into his life. He began attending church with a friend and watch several Ministers on television.
Preceded in death by his son Douglas Ray, brother Norman Ray Sr. and sister Rose Jones (FAG #23658826).
Survived by his children Rev. Anthony Ray, Linda (Leon) Blount, Rev. Mamie (Elder Garry), Marshall (Brenda) Ray, Gloria Ray, Jacqueline Butts and Deacon Edward Branch; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.
Affectionately known as Chief Ray, he was born on July 8, 1924 to Marshall E. Ray Sr and Mamie Chisolm Ray in a small bayou community in Houma, Louisiana.
Chief Ray joined the US Navy in September 1941 and was assigned to the USS Hornet October 1941. He served during the World War II, and the Korean War.
While serving on the USS Hornet Chief Ray became part of a top-secret mission to test if Army bombers could take off successfully from the flight deck. The mission was successful. On April 18, 1942, 16 B-25 Army bombers launched from the flight deck of the USS Hornet for a mission known as the “Jimmy Doolittle” raids. He was aboard the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Guadalcanal campaign. In 1945, Chief Ray was stationed on the island Tinian of the Marianas Arch south of Japan. It was from this location that Army Air Force bombers flew from there and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which Japan later surrendered, ending the war in the Pacific.
After his serving 21 years in the Navy, Chief Ray was employed by the Department of Defense. He attended Tidewater Community College for 2 years studying Accounting.
Chief Ray married his wife, Gloria Stokes, on July 9, 1954, while stationed in Norfolk, VA. His Sister-in-law, Jacqueline "Aunt Jack" recalls her father, Douglas Stokes, asking him to take care of his daughter Gloria and her younger sisters after his passing, which he did. Out of their union were born 7 children.
Chief Ray, later in life, accepted Jesus Christ into his life. He began attending church with a friend and watch several Ministers on television.
Preceded in death by his son Douglas Ray, brother Norman Ray Sr. and sister Rose Jones (FAG #23658826).
Survived by his children Rev. Anthony Ray, Linda (Leon) Blount, Rev. Mamie (Elder Garry), Marshall (Brenda) Ray, Gloria Ray, Jacqueline Butts and Deacon Edward Branch; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.
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