Printed in the Times Post, Houston, Mississippi dated March 31 1966
Major J T Bray, Jr., CO of This National Guard Battalion, Loses Life in Tragedy at His Home
Major James Tolbert Bray, Jr., 42-year-old National Guard career officer, and Houston Post office employee, lost his life in a tragic accident here between 7 and 7:30 pm Monday.
He was killed when the tractor he was riding while discing his lot adjoining his home on East Madison Street toppled into a deep ditch, pinning him underneath.
His brother, Paul Bray, also a Houston Postal employee, who lives across the street, was among the first to find him. Mrs. Bray had been to the First Baptist Church to participate in a visitation program, and had left her husband working on the tractor. When she arrived home she summoned help, and Major Bray was believed to have been dead about an hour when his body was removed from beneath the tractor.
Father of Three Children
The father of two young boys and a daughter, Major Bray was a devout sports enthusiast.
He was battalion commander of 223 Engineers Mississippi National Guard, and it was reported that his papers were being processed to elevate him to Lieutenant colonel.
Semi-military funeral services were conducted from the Houston First Baptist Church Wednesday morning at 10:30. A large number of National Guard officers and personnel from this battalion area attended the rites.
The Rev. Malcolm Jones, pastor of the Houston First Baptist Church, officiated.
Officers are Pallbearers
Pallbearers were all battalion officers, Major Paul E Warner, CWO John D Durett, Captain Jack Mason, Captain Ralph E Wordsworth, Captain James L Keller and Captain Robert E Griffin.
The flag was draped over the casket, and after the military portion of the services the flag was folded and presented to the family.
Interment was in the Houston Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Major Bray was born May 28, 1923 in Houston, the son of J Tolbert Bray, Sr. and Mary Dulaney Bray. He was a graduate of Houston High School and a member of the Houston First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rebenia White Bray; two sons, James Barry and Richard Larry Bray, both of the home; a daughter, Reba Bray of the home; his parents; a sister, Mrs. Clyde Riley of Tupelo; three brothers, Paul Bray of Houston, August Bray of Carrolton, Ky., and Lt. Col. Edward Bray of Hampton, Va., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Jober of Raleigh, N Carolina.
Major Bray's military service dated back to Jan. 1, 1943, in World War II and he served until Dec. 23, 1945, in China, India and Burma as an advisor.
Military Record
He enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard on Jan. 24, 1950, with Company B, 114th Engineers Combat Battalion as a sergeant, first-class, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was recalled into federal service with this unit on Sept. 11, 1950, and served until 1952.
Major Bray was released as a first lieutenant. Then the unit in Houston was organized as Company B, 223rd Engineer Battalion under his command as captain. The unit was re-designated as Howitzer Battery of the 2nd Recon Sq., 108th Armored Cav. He was commander of this unit for approximately two years. The unit was once again re-designated as Company A, 223rd Eng. Bn. (construction), and again called into active service on Oct. 15, 1961, and served at Camp Polk, La., until Aug. 10, 1962. AT that time he held the rank of captain and gave up this command on Sept. 2, 1962, to take a position as Battalion 5-3, shortly being advanced to battalion executive officer, and he served in this capacity for about two years. Then in May of 1965 he resumed command of the 223rd Eng. Battalion (const.) with headquarters located in West Point, and with companies at Houston, Bruce, Aberdeen, Okolona, Charleston, Clarksdale, Starkville and Calhoun City under his command.
Major J T Bray, Jr., CO of This National Guard Battalion, Loses Life in Tragedy at His Home
Major James Tolbert Bray, Jr., 42-year-old National Guard career officer, and Houston Post office employee, lost his life in a tragic accident here between 7 and 7:30 pm Monday.
He was killed when the tractor he was riding while discing his lot adjoining his home on East Madison Street toppled into a deep ditch, pinning him underneath.
His brother, Paul Bray, also a Houston Postal employee, who lives across the street, was among the first to find him. Mrs. Bray had been to the First Baptist Church to participate in a visitation program, and had left her husband working on the tractor. When she arrived home she summoned help, and Major Bray was believed to have been dead about an hour when his body was removed from beneath the tractor.
Father of Three Children
The father of two young boys and a daughter, Major Bray was a devout sports enthusiast.
He was battalion commander of 223 Engineers Mississippi National Guard, and it was reported that his papers were being processed to elevate him to Lieutenant colonel.
Semi-military funeral services were conducted from the Houston First Baptist Church Wednesday morning at 10:30. A large number of National Guard officers and personnel from this battalion area attended the rites.
The Rev. Malcolm Jones, pastor of the Houston First Baptist Church, officiated.
Officers are Pallbearers
Pallbearers were all battalion officers, Major Paul E Warner, CWO John D Durett, Captain Jack Mason, Captain Ralph E Wordsworth, Captain James L Keller and Captain Robert E Griffin.
The flag was draped over the casket, and after the military portion of the services the flag was folded and presented to the family.
Interment was in the Houston Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Major Bray was born May 28, 1923 in Houston, the son of J Tolbert Bray, Sr. and Mary Dulaney Bray. He was a graduate of Houston High School and a member of the Houston First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rebenia White Bray; two sons, James Barry and Richard Larry Bray, both of the home; a daughter, Reba Bray of the home; his parents; a sister, Mrs. Clyde Riley of Tupelo; three brothers, Paul Bray of Houston, August Bray of Carrolton, Ky., and Lt. Col. Edward Bray of Hampton, Va., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Jober of Raleigh, N Carolina.
Major Bray's military service dated back to Jan. 1, 1943, in World War II and he served until Dec. 23, 1945, in China, India and Burma as an advisor.
Military Record
He enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard on Jan. 24, 1950, with Company B, 114th Engineers Combat Battalion as a sergeant, first-class, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was recalled into federal service with this unit on Sept. 11, 1950, and served until 1952.
Major Bray was released as a first lieutenant. Then the unit in Houston was organized as Company B, 223rd Engineer Battalion under his command as captain. The unit was re-designated as Howitzer Battery of the 2nd Recon Sq., 108th Armored Cav. He was commander of this unit for approximately two years. The unit was once again re-designated as Company A, 223rd Eng. Bn. (construction), and again called into active service on Oct. 15, 1961, and served at Camp Polk, La., until Aug. 10, 1962. AT that time he held the rank of captain and gave up this command on Sept. 2, 1962, to take a position as Battalion 5-3, shortly being advanced to battalion executive officer, and he served in this capacity for about two years. Then in May of 1965 he resumed command of the 223rd Eng. Battalion (const.) with headquarters located in West Point, and with companies at Houston, Bruce, Aberdeen, Okolona, Charleston, Clarksdale, Starkville and Calhoun City under his command.
Printed in the Times Post, Houston, Mississippi dated March 31 1966
Major J T Bray, Jr., CO of This National Guard Battalion, Loses Life in Tragedy at His Home
Major James Tolbert Bray, Jr., 42-year-old National Guard career officer, and Houston Post office employee, lost his life in a tragic accident here between 7 and 7:30 pm Monday.
He was killed when the tractor he was riding while discing his lot adjoining his home on East Madison Street toppled into a deep ditch, pinning him underneath.
His brother, Paul Bray, also a Houston Postal employee, who lives across the street, was among the first to find him. Mrs. Bray had been to the First Baptist Church to participate in a visitation program, and had left her husband working on the tractor. When she arrived home she summoned help, and Major Bray was believed to have been dead about an hour when his body was removed from beneath the tractor.
Father of Three Children
The father of two young boys and a daughter, Major Bray was a devout sports enthusiast.
He was battalion commander of 223 Engineers Mississippi National Guard, and it was reported that his papers were being processed to elevate him to Lieutenant colonel.
Semi-military funeral services were conducted from the Houston First Baptist Church Wednesday morning at 10:30. A large number of National Guard officers and personnel from this battalion area attended the rites.
The Rev. Malcolm Jones, pastor of the Houston First Baptist Church, officiated.
Officers are Pallbearers
Pallbearers were all battalion officers, Major Paul E Warner, CWO John D Durett, Captain Jack Mason, Captain Ralph E Wordsworth, Captain James L Keller and Captain Robert E Griffin.
The flag was draped over the casket, and after the military portion of the services the flag was folded and presented to the family.
Interment was in the Houston Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Major Bray was born May 28, 1923 in Houston, the son of J Tolbert Bray, Sr. and Mary Dulaney Bray. He was a graduate of Houston High School and a member of the Houston First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rebenia White Bray; two sons, James Barry and Richard Larry Bray, both of the home; a daughter, Reba Bray of the home; his parents; a sister, Mrs. Clyde Riley of Tupelo; three brothers, Paul Bray of Houston, August Bray of Carrolton, Ky., and Lt. Col. Edward Bray of Hampton, Va., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Jober of Raleigh, N Carolina.
Major Bray's military service dated back to Jan. 1, 1943, in World War II and he served until Dec. 23, 1945, in China, India and Burma as an advisor.
Military Record
He enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard on Jan. 24, 1950, with Company B, 114th Engineers Combat Battalion as a sergeant, first-class, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was recalled into federal service with this unit on Sept. 11, 1950, and served until 1952.
Major Bray was released as a first lieutenant. Then the unit in Houston was organized as Company B, 223rd Engineer Battalion under his command as captain. The unit was re-designated as Howitzer Battery of the 2nd Recon Sq., 108th Armored Cav. He was commander of this unit for approximately two years. The unit was once again re-designated as Company A, 223rd Eng. Bn. (construction), and again called into active service on Oct. 15, 1961, and served at Camp Polk, La., until Aug. 10, 1962. AT that time he held the rank of captain and gave up this command on Sept. 2, 1962, to take a position as Battalion 5-3, shortly being advanced to battalion executive officer, and he served in this capacity for about two years. Then in May of 1965 he resumed command of the 223rd Eng. Battalion (const.) with headquarters located in West Point, and with companies at Houston, Bruce, Aberdeen, Okolona, Charleston, Clarksdale, Starkville and Calhoun City under his command.
Major J T Bray, Jr., CO of This National Guard Battalion, Loses Life in Tragedy at His Home
Major James Tolbert Bray, Jr., 42-year-old National Guard career officer, and Houston Post office employee, lost his life in a tragic accident here between 7 and 7:30 pm Monday.
He was killed when the tractor he was riding while discing his lot adjoining his home on East Madison Street toppled into a deep ditch, pinning him underneath.
His brother, Paul Bray, also a Houston Postal employee, who lives across the street, was among the first to find him. Mrs. Bray had been to the First Baptist Church to participate in a visitation program, and had left her husband working on the tractor. When she arrived home she summoned help, and Major Bray was believed to have been dead about an hour when his body was removed from beneath the tractor.
Father of Three Children
The father of two young boys and a daughter, Major Bray was a devout sports enthusiast.
He was battalion commander of 223 Engineers Mississippi National Guard, and it was reported that his papers were being processed to elevate him to Lieutenant colonel.
Semi-military funeral services were conducted from the Houston First Baptist Church Wednesday morning at 10:30. A large number of National Guard officers and personnel from this battalion area attended the rites.
The Rev. Malcolm Jones, pastor of the Houston First Baptist Church, officiated.
Officers are Pallbearers
Pallbearers were all battalion officers, Major Paul E Warner, CWO John D Durett, Captain Jack Mason, Captain Ralph E Wordsworth, Captain James L Keller and Captain Robert E Griffin.
The flag was draped over the casket, and after the military portion of the services the flag was folded and presented to the family.
Interment was in the Houston Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home in charge.
Major Bray was born May 28, 1923 in Houston, the son of J Tolbert Bray, Sr. and Mary Dulaney Bray. He was a graduate of Houston High School and a member of the Houston First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rebenia White Bray; two sons, James Barry and Richard Larry Bray, both of the home; a daughter, Reba Bray of the home; his parents; a sister, Mrs. Clyde Riley of Tupelo; three brothers, Paul Bray of Houston, August Bray of Carrolton, Ky., and Lt. Col. Edward Bray of Hampton, Va., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Jober of Raleigh, N Carolina.
Major Bray's military service dated back to Jan. 1, 1943, in World War II and he served until Dec. 23, 1945, in China, India and Burma as an advisor.
Military Record
He enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard on Jan. 24, 1950, with Company B, 114th Engineers Combat Battalion as a sergeant, first-class, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was recalled into federal service with this unit on Sept. 11, 1950, and served until 1952.
Major Bray was released as a first lieutenant. Then the unit in Houston was organized as Company B, 223rd Engineer Battalion under his command as captain. The unit was re-designated as Howitzer Battery of the 2nd Recon Sq., 108th Armored Cav. He was commander of this unit for approximately two years. The unit was once again re-designated as Company A, 223rd Eng. Bn. (construction), and again called into active service on Oct. 15, 1961, and served at Camp Polk, La., until Aug. 10, 1962. AT that time he held the rank of captain and gave up this command on Sept. 2, 1962, to take a position as Battalion 5-3, shortly being advanced to battalion executive officer, and he served in this capacity for about two years. Then in May of 1965 he resumed command of the 223rd Eng. Battalion (const.) with headquarters located in West Point, and with companies at Houston, Bruce, Aberdeen, Okolona, Charleston, Clarksdale, Starkville and Calhoun City under his command.
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