RAY, James E.
Age 66
Paw Paw

Went home to be with the Lord Monday, April 13, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born March 26, 1943 in Paw Paw, the son of Ivan and MaryJane Ray. His passion was spending time with his family, farming, and working in his flower garden. He enjoyed sharing "The Shack" with family and many friends. He served his community on the Gobles Pine Grove Fire Department and Ambulance. He was elected Clerk and then Supervisor of Almena Township and most recently Commissioner of Van Buren County. He retired after 32 years with Farm Bureau Insurance. He attended the Bloomingdale Christian Church. He was a great husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Dale (nee Barber); three children, Bonnie (Matthew) Holochwost of Lawton, Pam Blakemore of Paw Paw, Kevin (Susie) Ray of Lawton; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Steve, Kalie, Kaitlin, Aaron, Nicole, Nathan; one sister, Linda (Jim) Hurst of Gobles; one brother, Bruce (Diane) Ray of Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, James Edward Ray, Jr. The family will meet friends Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the
GOBLES CHAPEL
D. L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com
and Friday 9:30-11 AM at the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church where funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, Pastor Bill Napp officiating. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. The family suggests memorials to Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy to be used for Jeptha Lake Fen.
Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 4/15/2009 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)