Donald Ray

Donald Gene Ray, 73 of Jackson, Mississippi died Monday, January 14, 2013 after suffering a severe stroke. Born September 3, 1939 in Highland, Illinois Donald (Don) was the son of the late Glenn B. Ray and Courtenay E. (Sandifer) Ray. Motivated by an early and deep commitment to Christ, he attended Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, graduating in 1962 with his bachelor's degree in order to pursue his life-long passion of pastoral ministry and preaching. Don devoted 19 years of his life to church ministry. He served in several churches in the late 1950's and early 1960's as youth minister before accepting a senior pastor position in 1972 at Highland Congregational Church in Highland, IL. Many years and a few career changes later, Don "retired" into full-time ministry in 2004 serving for 7 years at the First Congregational Church in Otsego, MI. Don is remembered well for his dynamic preaching, his visionary leadership, his comical rhetoric and his absolute devotion to the teaching of scripture. The middle years of his life were dominated by his work as a financial planner and a development professional in Mississippi. Don was the founding President of the Mississippi Chapter of the International Association of Financial Planners. He then served as President and CEO of his own company, Financial Review Services, Ltd. Later Don applied his financial planning experience to his work in development for Millsaps College and Belhaven University in Jackson, MS where he served as Vice President. Most recently, Don extended this expertise to the work of the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, MS. Though to the outside eye there may seem to be a disconnect between Don's work as a financial planner and his passion for church ministry - to Don it was all the same work. From his early years as a financial planner with Connecticut General Life Insurance in St. Louis, Don's motto has always been, "Take care of the people and the money takes care of itself." Don's approach to all his work was personal and pastoral. Married for 53 years, to his wife and personal cheerleader, Jeannie, Don's most cherished role was as husband and father. Nothing gave him more pleasure than being with Jeannie and their five children. He was the constant dispenser of wisdom, the caster of vision, and the voice of reason when emotions were running high. He was an avid fan and supporter for each of the five children in their sporting events and other individual pursuits. It was recently said about Don by one of his many friends that he "was more than a husband, father, grandfather, businessman or church leader. He was the 'pater familias.' He was the physical, spiritual, and emotional head of his family-tribe with all its many tributaries. That is accomplishment enough and no doubt his greatest source of joy and pride." Don is survived by his wife, Marie Jeannette Ray and their five children; daughter, Jerri (Ralph) Ross; son, D. Craig Ray; daughter, Julie Ray; daughter, Jene' Barranco; son, Kyle Ray; grandchildren, Jennings and Graeme Ross; Mia, Julia and Michael Barranco; Emma Claire Ray; Baylor, Carly and David Ray; brothers, David M. Ray and Admiral Norman W. Ray; and many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Highlands Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Otsego, Michigan at a date yet to be determined. The family requests that memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, be directed to one of the following: Pioneer Bible Translators, PO Box 380820, Duncanville, TX 75138-0820; Palmer Home for Children, PO Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.