James Harold Ray departed his life on Sunday, February 4th, 2024, at the young age of 77 years old. He was born on February 26th, 1946, in Newport, Arkansas.
Mr. Ray was a retiree from Fields Heating and Air, but his true passions lay among nature: laying in the dirt fixing his many lawnmowers, hunting, fishing, and playing an array of sports. He loved fried chicken, sweet tea, and a good old can of Pepsi over ice. James was also a big Razorbacks fan, showing off his sports merch from Arkansas, Mississippi, and all the way to Alabama.
Mr. Ray was preceded in death by his father, James Nathan Ray; mother, Dorothy Mae Ray; two brothers, Danny P. Ray and Ernest Crawford; and two sisters, Rosetta Ricker and Betty Wagster.
James is survived by his wife, Lucinda “Cindy” Ray of Tuckerman; three daughters, Jaime Dobbs of Newport, Crystal Ray of Jonesboro, Cheyenne Ray-Mobley and husband, Chase of Athens, AL; three grandchildren, Lacey Shelton of Newport, Elijah Dobbs of Newport, and Jade Stone of Jonesboro; two brothers, Donald Crawford and wife, Lorita, of Newport, and David Ray of Memphis, TN; one sister, Shirley Patterson of Newport; and many great-grandchildren and lifelong friends.
Friends may visit the funeral home, Tuesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Robert Barnes, Dwayne Ivie, Martin Barnes, Earl Wayne Crawford, John Ford, and Chase Ray-Mobley.
