CAROLINA BEACH — Charles Manly Ray, 84, formerly of Oakland, Calif., where he was a firefighter for 22 years, passed away Thursday, Dec. 1, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
He was born on July 10, 1932, to Gaston and Bernice Stevens Ray in Hallsboro, N.C. He was the husband of Jeanne Frances Ray. They were married on April 3, 1954.
He was a sports car enthusiast, a member of the Sorry Safari Touring Society, an avid Oakland Raider’s Fan; the Carolina Panthers were his second favorite, and he was a master car customizer. A Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy on the Yorktown.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jeanne; children, Gena Marie Brown, and her husband, Daryl, of Bakersfield, Calif., Debra Linn Ray of California and Carolina Beach, N.C., and Steven Charles Ray, and his wife, Cathy, of Manteca, Calif.; grandchildren, Matthew, Karen, Derek and Caitlin; five great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia McFall; and brothers, David and Phillip Ray.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Virgil and Harry.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Andrews Valley Chapel, 4108 S. College Road, Wilmington, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Boys and Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw would be appreciated.