Samuel Luke Ray, 68, of Tifton died Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2010, at Eldorado Baptist Church. Rev. Ray Sullivan will officiate with burial to follow in Eldorado Baptist Church Cemetery. Brian Ray, Raymond Lupo, Bobby Stone, Larry Stone, Melvin Thompson and Danny Thompson will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Eldorado Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 20, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. The family will be at the home of Rudolph and Kay Ray.
Mr. Ray was born on February 18, 1942 in Tift County and was the son of J. Ralph Ray and Cleo Pearman Ray, both deceased. He was retired from tractor parts management and was a member and deacon of Eldorado Baptist Church. Every day, he enjoyed visiting with his friends at Tifton Auto Parts. He also enjoyed fishing, growing cane and making syrup. He also enjoyed researching the history of Tift County.
Mr. Ray is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Rudolph and Kay Ray of Tifton; a niece and her husband, Keelee and Michael Foster; and a great nephew, Gage Foster.