David Wayne Ray

David Wayne Ray was born December 18, 1944, in Murray, Utah, and died at the age of 73 on Friday, March 16, 2018, at Davita Dialysis Center in Surf City, NC, with his wife, Marsha, at his side. David was the son of John and Ida Clemmons Ray. He learned to love the outdoors at a young age. After his father’s death, Tom Shelton stepped in and became David’s mentor, teaching him to hunt and fish and love all things associated with being outdoors. David Wayne was an active member in the New Hanover County Jr. High and High School Bands. He was drum major for the Jr. High marching band. David and Sally Figueroa (Blalock) were married in May 1962. They had two sons, David, Jr. and Johnathan. David, known as Wayne to his friends and family back in those days, joined the Air Force in 1963 and served at Lackland AFB, Langley AFB, the Philippines (TDY Viet Nam), and Pope AFB during his four years of service. He was a great dancer and he and Sally won dance contests on the base when they were at Lackland AFB. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for Xerox several years. He and Sally opened their own real estate and construction company in the 70s, Tarheel Builders and Realty Co. He enjoyed being part of the Winter Park Volunteer Fire Department and the Wendell Volunteer Fire Department. He liked little theater and played in “On Being Ernest,” “Mash,” and “Sound of Music.” David met Dottie Spruill in 1978 when they both worked for same company. David and Dottie were married in May 1980. David helped raise Dottie’s daughter, Heather, as if she was his own. He willingly did all the things that a daddy would do. He proudly walked her down the aisle. David was a faithful and devoted son-in-law to Dottie’s parents, who loved him like a son. He was often teased about going there and cleaning out their pantry and refrigerator. He was a “fix it man” for Dottie’s parents for over 20 years. He loved Duke and Lucille! You knew if you heard him say Mama or Daddy, he was talking about them. He spent many hours hunting, fishing, frogging and having an evening toddy with Duke. He was the “cook” for some memorable occasions, including Lucille’s 65th birthday and Lucille and Duke’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Cooking for the masses made him happy. Although David and Dottie’s marriage wasn’t successful, they remained friends till the end. David and Marsha met in November 2002 at a Barbershop Harmony Society School in Atlanta, GA. On the final night of the weekend school they met and enjoyed getting to know each other. As Marsha was from Jackson, MS and David was from Wilmington, they didn’t think they’d ever see each other again. Little did they know that nine months later in August 2003 they would meet again in St. Joseph, MO, at the BHS Directors’ College. They met again on the first day of the week-long school. The next morning in the cafeteria, as Marsha was going to get something to drink, she looked up to see David striding across the room towards her. He walked straight up to her, kissed her square on the lips, and said, “Good morning, Sunshine!” He was her Sunshine for the rest of his life! In April, 2004, David sold his Wilmington Commercial Kitchen Repair business and moved to MS! He went to work for Groen where he was Assistant Training Manager. They were married on November 4, 2006. David retired at 62 in 2006. He and Marsha enjoyed traveling all over the world, from Alaska to Budapest! They were both avid deer hunters and often spent time together in a deer stand. They had bought a second home in Hampstead, NC in 2011 and had just made the move to NC permanent in August. David had End Stage Renal Disease and was preparing to go on dialysis when he found out he needed to have bypass surgery because of major blockages in his coronary arteries. After having bypass surgery, with his heart’s weakened condition, his body was just not able to tolerate the dialysis. David is survived by his wife of 11 years, Marsha Riley Ray; two sons by his first wife, Sally Figueroa Blalock, David W. Ray, Jr., and Johnathan M. Ray; his second wife, Dottie Spruill’s daughter, Heather Arbogast (Chris); his sister, Sylvia Ray Thompson; four grandchildren, Madalyne (Mattie) Ray, Bradlee Ray, Benjamin Duke Arbogast, and Lily Grace Arbogast; and one great granddaughter, Sollena (Sollee) Ray. He is also survived by his lifetime friend, Jim Hall, and Jim’s son Ethan, who David lovingly referred to as “his other son,” and Jim’s daughter, Haley, along with many members of his church family. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Ida Clemmons Ray.

David Wayne Ray

December 18, 1944 - March 16, 2018