Lawrence Milton Ray, Jr. 67, of Asheville went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2021 after a long illness. He had been a resident of the NC Veterans Home in Black Mountain, NC for many years.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rheba Allen Ray and his father, Lawrence Milton Ray, Sr. a Navy veteran of WWII. He is survived by a sister, Paula Ray and a brother, Richard Allen Ray of Asheville.
Larry was born on December 18, 1953; he attended grade school at Oakley Elementary School and graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School in 1972. He went on to graduate from Western Carolina University and entered the United States Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
Larry served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army for 8 years before leaving the service as a Captain. Larry loved the military and was an avid reader of military history. His most memorable time in the Army was his service in Panama.
After leaving the service, he worked several years at the Steelcase office furniture plant in Fletcher, NC.
Larry was a descendant of a long line of bear hunters. He was the great- great-grandson of Big Tom Wilson of Yancey County who tracked and found the body of Dr. Elisha Mitchell for whom Mt. Mitchell is named.
Larry’s memorial service will take place on Friday, May 28 at Harwood Home for Funerals, 208 State Street, Black Mountain, NC. https://www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com/. Visitation is at 1:00 pm and the service will take place at 2:00 pm. There will be no graveside service. Interment will take place at a later date in the NC State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain.
Son, you’ve suffered long enough. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9