Obit from the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home
Calloway County Clerk Ray Gene Coursey Jr. age 45, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Coursey was born April 4, 1968 in Murray, Ky.
He was a 1986 graduate of Calloway Co. High School, and a 1992 graduate of Murray State University with a B.A. in Finances/Investment emphasis. He started in 1983 as a Deputy Clerk in the Calloway Co. Clerk's office; and on Nov. 7, 1995 he was appointed to the Clerks position. Ray was the longest serving Calloway County Clerk. Ray was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Murray Lions Club, and a member of the County Clerk Association of Kentucky. Ray served as Chairman of the Calloway County Cemetery Board, Clerk of the Calloway Co. Fiscal Court, and served on the committee to build the New Jail in Calloway Co. A Street was named for him, and whenever Ray drove down it he would ask "does anyone know what the name of this street is?"
Survivors include his mother, Cheryl Coursey of Murray, Ky., his father and step mother, Ray Gene Coursey Sr. and wife Debbie, sister, Jenger Coursey DeShields of Murray, Ky., Niece, Ally Faye DeShields and nephew, Bobby Ray DeShields both of Murray, Ky.
Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Mary Olga Coursey, and Clifford and Faye Farris.
Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Glendale Road Church of Christ, John Dale and Rev. Elijah Balentine will officiate, and burial will be in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Glendale Road Church of Christ.
Expression of sympathy may go to; Ally and Bobby DeShields College Fund % The Murray Bank 700 North 12th Street, Murray, Ky. 42071.
Story from The paducah Sun Below
Calloway officials mourn longtime clerk, friend
by BY WILL PINKSTON [email protected]
Apr 29, 2013
Ray Coursey Jr. didn't let adversity get in the way of making sure the Calloway County Clerk's office ran like a well-oiled machine even during the most difficult of times.
Known for his hard work ethic and kind disposition, Coursey, 45, died Saturday at Murray-Calloway County Hospital after serving 30 years in various levels at the clerk's office. (Obituary, 8A)
Appointed as county clerk on Nov. 7, 1995, Coursey became the longest-serving county clerk in the county, and one who community and local government leaders held in high esteem, Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins said.
"Ray obviously had his handicap and things he had to overcome, but he was a very hard worker," Elkins said. "He was the kind of person who went out of his way to help people and help solve problems.
"He was a good team player who did whatever was necessary to make his office and the county government function the way it should."
A swimming accident during his middle school years left Coursey paralyzed, but that didn't stop him from taking a job as a deputy clerk in 1983 before he graduated from Calloway County High School three years later. Coursey went to Murray State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1992, studying finance and investments.
Johnny Gingles, Calloway County District 4 magistrate, said he remembers Coursey as a student athlete at North Calloway Elementary School, where Gingles served as the physical education teacher and coached the sixth-grade basketball team.
Gingles was elected to county office in 1998, and while serving alongside Coursey for nearly 15 years the two men often discussed the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Coursey relished the atmosphere of working in an office that could be fast-paced at times, especially during elections, Gingles said.
"His work ethic was impeccable on top of everything, and he never complained although you could tell he didn't feel good," Gingles said. "He will be sorely missed as a close personal friend of mine."
Coursey was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the state county clerks association, the cemetery board, and was clerk of the Calloway County Fiscal Court and served on the committee to build the new jail in the county.
Eddie Clyde Hale, Calloway County District 1 magistrate, said Coursey was dedicated to his job in a way that left a lasting impact on the office.
"Ray was an encouragement and an inspiration to all who knew him," Hale said. "He was a true public servant in the purest sense."
Coursey contracted pneumonia about three weeks before his death and was hospitalized for several days, Gingles said.
Coursey appeared at the fiscal court meeting April 16, then posed for a photograph April 22 at the courthouse, alongside other county elected officials, but was readmitted to Murray-Calloway on Thursday.
"Even as late as five days ago, he was all smiles," Gingles said. "It really hit me hard when I got the message that he passed away."
Elkins said the clerk's office likely will be closed until after Coursey's funeral Tuesday, and the courthouse will be closed the day of the funeral.
Calloway County Clerk Ray Gene Coursey Jr. age 45, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Coursey was born April 4, 1968 in Murray, Ky.
He was a 1986 graduate of Calloway Co. High School, and a 1992 graduate of Murray State University with a B.A. in Finances/Investment emphasis. He started in 1983 as a Deputy Clerk in the Calloway Co. Clerk's office; and on Nov. 7, 1995 he was appointed to the Clerks position. Ray was the longest serving Calloway County Clerk. Ray was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Murray Lions Club, and a member of the County Clerk Association of Kentucky. Ray served as Chairman of the Calloway County Cemetery Board, Clerk of the Calloway Co. Fiscal Court, and served on the committee to build the New Jail in Calloway Co. A Street was named for him, and whenever Ray drove down it he would ask "does anyone know what the name of this street is?"
Survivors include his mother, Cheryl Coursey of Murray, Ky., his father and step mother, Ray Gene Coursey Sr. and wife Debbie, sister, Jenger Coursey DeShields of Murray, Ky., Niece, Ally Faye DeShields and nephew, Bobby Ray DeShields both of Murray, Ky.
Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Mary Olga Coursey, and Clifford and Faye Farris.
Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Glendale Road Church of Christ, John Dale and Rev. Elijah Balentine will officiate, and burial will be in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Glendale Road Church of Christ.
Expression of sympathy may go to; Ally and Bobby DeShields College Fund % The Murray Bank 700 North 12th Street, Murray, Ky. 42071.
Story from The paducah Sun Below
Calloway officials mourn longtime clerk, friend
by BY WILL PINKSTON [email protected]
Apr 29, 2013
Ray Coursey Jr. didn't let adversity get in the way of making sure the Calloway County Clerk's office ran like a well-oiled machine even during the most difficult of times.
Known for his hard work ethic and kind disposition, Coursey, 45, died Saturday at Murray-Calloway County Hospital after serving 30 years in various levels at the clerk's office. (Obituary, 8A)
Appointed as county clerk on Nov. 7, 1995, Coursey became the longest-serving county clerk in the county, and one who community and local government leaders held in high esteem, Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins said.
"Ray obviously had his handicap and things he had to overcome, but he was a very hard worker," Elkins said. "He was the kind of person who went out of his way to help people and help solve problems.
"He was a good team player who did whatever was necessary to make his office and the county government function the way it should."
A swimming accident during his middle school years left Coursey paralyzed, but that didn't stop him from taking a job as a deputy clerk in 1983 before he graduated from Calloway County High School three years later. Coursey went to Murray State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1992, studying finance and investments.
Johnny Gingles, Calloway County District 4 magistrate, said he remembers Coursey as a student athlete at North Calloway Elementary School, where Gingles served as the physical education teacher and coached the sixth-grade basketball team.
Gingles was elected to county office in 1998, and while serving alongside Coursey for nearly 15 years the two men often discussed the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Coursey relished the atmosphere of working in an office that could be fast-paced at times, especially during elections, Gingles said.
"His work ethic was impeccable on top of everything, and he never complained although you could tell he didn't feel good," Gingles said. "He will be sorely missed as a close personal friend of mine."
Coursey was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the state county clerks association, the cemetery board, and was clerk of the Calloway County Fiscal Court and served on the committee to build the new jail in the county.
Eddie Clyde Hale, Calloway County District 1 magistrate, said Coursey was dedicated to his job in a way that left a lasting impact on the office.
"Ray was an encouragement and an inspiration to all who knew him," Hale said. "He was a true public servant in the purest sense."
Coursey contracted pneumonia about three weeks before his death and was hospitalized for several days, Gingles said.
Coursey appeared at the fiscal court meeting April 16, then posed for a photograph April 22 at the courthouse, alongside other county elected officials, but was readmitted to Murray-Calloway on Thursday.
"Even as late as five days ago, he was all smiles," Gingles said. "It really hit me hard when I got the message that he passed away."
Elkins said the clerk's office likely will be closed until after Coursey's funeral Tuesday, and the courthouse will be closed the day of the funeral.
Obit from the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home
Calloway County Clerk Ray Gene Coursey Jr. age 45, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Coursey was born April 4, 1968 in Murray, Ky.
He was a 1986 graduate of Calloway Co. High School, and a 1992 graduate of Murray State University with a B.A. in Finances/Investment emphasis. He started in 1983 as a Deputy Clerk in the Calloway Co. Clerk's office; and on Nov. 7, 1995 he was appointed to the Clerks position. Ray was the longest serving Calloway County Clerk. Ray was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Murray Lions Club, and a member of the County Clerk Association of Kentucky. Ray served as Chairman of the Calloway County Cemetery Board, Clerk of the Calloway Co. Fiscal Court, and served on the committee to build the New Jail in Calloway Co. A Street was named for him, and whenever Ray drove down it he would ask "does anyone know what the name of this street is?"
Survivors include his mother, Cheryl Coursey of Murray, Ky., his father and step mother, Ray Gene Coursey Sr. and wife Debbie, sister, Jenger Coursey DeShields of Murray, Ky., Niece, Ally Faye DeShields and nephew, Bobby Ray DeShields both of Murray, Ky.
Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Mary Olga Coursey, and Clifford and Faye Farris.
Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Glendale Road Church of Christ, John Dale and Rev. Elijah Balentine will officiate, and burial will be in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Glendale Road Church of Christ.
Expression of sympathy may go to; Ally and Bobby DeShields College Fund % The Murray Bank 700 North 12th Street, Murray, Ky. 42071.
Story from The paducah Sun Below
Calloway officials mourn longtime clerk, friend
by BY WILL PINKSTON [email protected]
Apr 29, 2013
Ray Coursey Jr. didn't let adversity get in the way of making sure the Calloway County Clerk's office ran like a well-oiled machine even during the most difficult of times.
Known for his hard work ethic and kind disposition, Coursey, 45, died Saturday at Murray-Calloway County Hospital after serving 30 years in various levels at the clerk's office. (Obituary, 8A)
Appointed as county clerk on Nov. 7, 1995, Coursey became the longest-serving county clerk in the county, and one who community and local government leaders held in high esteem, Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins said.
"Ray obviously had his handicap and things he had to overcome, but he was a very hard worker," Elkins said. "He was the kind of person who went out of his way to help people and help solve problems.
"He was a good team player who did whatever was necessary to make his office and the county government function the way it should."
A swimming accident during his middle school years left Coursey paralyzed, but that didn't stop him from taking a job as a deputy clerk in 1983 before he graduated from Calloway County High School three years later. Coursey went to Murray State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1992, studying finance and investments.
Johnny Gingles, Calloway County District 4 magistrate, said he remembers Coursey as a student athlete at North Calloway Elementary School, where Gingles served as the physical education teacher and coached the sixth-grade basketball team.
Gingles was elected to county office in 1998, and while serving alongside Coursey for nearly 15 years the two men often discussed the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Coursey relished the atmosphere of working in an office that could be fast-paced at times, especially during elections, Gingles said.
"His work ethic was impeccable on top of everything, and he never complained although you could tell he didn't feel good," Gingles said. "He will be sorely missed as a close personal friend of mine."
Coursey was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the state county clerks association, the cemetery board, and was clerk of the Calloway County Fiscal Court and served on the committee to build the new jail in the county.
Eddie Clyde Hale, Calloway County District 1 magistrate, said Coursey was dedicated to his job in a way that left a lasting impact on the office.
"Ray was an encouragement and an inspiration to all who knew him," Hale said. "He was a true public servant in the purest sense."
Coursey contracted pneumonia about three weeks before his death and was hospitalized for several days, Gingles said.
Coursey appeared at the fiscal court meeting April 16, then posed for a photograph April 22 at the courthouse, alongside other county elected officials, but was readmitted to Murray-Calloway on Thursday.
"Even as late as five days ago, he was all smiles," Gingles said. "It really hit me hard when I got the message that he passed away."
Elkins said the clerk's office likely will be closed until after Coursey's funeral Tuesday, and the courthouse will be closed the day of the funeral.
Calloway County Clerk Ray Gene Coursey Jr. age 45, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Murray Calloway County Hospital.
Mr. Coursey was born April 4, 1968 in Murray, Ky.
He was a 1986 graduate of Calloway Co. High School, and a 1992 graduate of Murray State University with a B.A. in Finances/Investment emphasis. He started in 1983 as a Deputy Clerk in the Calloway Co. Clerk's office; and on Nov. 7, 1995 he was appointed to the Clerks position. Ray was the longest serving Calloway County Clerk. Ray was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Murray Lions Club, and a member of the County Clerk Association of Kentucky. Ray served as Chairman of the Calloway County Cemetery Board, Clerk of the Calloway Co. Fiscal Court, and served on the committee to build the New Jail in Calloway Co. A Street was named for him, and whenever Ray drove down it he would ask "does anyone know what the name of this street is?"
Survivors include his mother, Cheryl Coursey of Murray, Ky., his father and step mother, Ray Gene Coursey Sr. and wife Debbie, sister, Jenger Coursey DeShields of Murray, Ky., Niece, Ally Faye DeShields and nephew, Bobby Ray DeShields both of Murray, Ky.
Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon and Mary Olga Coursey, and Clifford and Faye Farris.
Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Glendale Road Church of Christ, John Dale and Rev. Elijah Balentine will officiate, and burial will be in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Glendale Road Church of Christ.
Expression of sympathy may go to; Ally and Bobby DeShields College Fund % The Murray Bank 700 North 12th Street, Murray, Ky. 42071.
Story from The paducah Sun Below
Calloway officials mourn longtime clerk, friend
by BY WILL PINKSTON [email protected]
Apr 29, 2013
Ray Coursey Jr. didn't let adversity get in the way of making sure the Calloway County Clerk's office ran like a well-oiled machine even during the most difficult of times.
Known for his hard work ethic and kind disposition, Coursey, 45, died Saturday at Murray-Calloway County Hospital after serving 30 years in various levels at the clerk's office. (Obituary, 8A)
Appointed as county clerk on Nov. 7, 1995, Coursey became the longest-serving county clerk in the county, and one who community and local government leaders held in high esteem, Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins said.
"Ray obviously had his handicap and things he had to overcome, but he was a very hard worker," Elkins said. "He was the kind of person who went out of his way to help people and help solve problems.
"He was a good team player who did whatever was necessary to make his office and the county government function the way it should."
A swimming accident during his middle school years left Coursey paralyzed, but that didn't stop him from taking a job as a deputy clerk in 1983 before he graduated from Calloway County High School three years later. Coursey went to Murray State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1992, studying finance and investments.
Johnny Gingles, Calloway County District 4 magistrate, said he remembers Coursey as a student athlete at North Calloway Elementary School, where Gingles served as the physical education teacher and coached the sixth-grade basketball team.
Gingles was elected to county office in 1998, and while serving alongside Coursey for nearly 15 years the two men often discussed the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Coursey relished the atmosphere of working in an office that could be fast-paced at times, especially during elections, Gingles said.
"His work ethic was impeccable on top of everything, and he never complained although you could tell he didn't feel good," Gingles said. "He will be sorely missed as a close personal friend of mine."
Coursey was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the state county clerks association, the cemetery board, and was clerk of the Calloway County Fiscal Court and served on the committee to build the new jail in the county.
Eddie Clyde Hale, Calloway County District 1 magistrate, said Coursey was dedicated to his job in a way that left a lasting impact on the office.
"Ray was an encouragement and an inspiration to all who knew him," Hale said. "He was a true public servant in the purest sense."
Coursey contracted pneumonia about three weeks before his death and was hospitalized for several days, Gingles said.
Coursey appeared at the fiscal court meeting April 16, then posed for a photograph April 22 at the courthouse, alongside other county elected officials, but was readmitted to Murray-Calloway on Thursday.
"Even as late as five days ago, he was all smiles," Gingles said. "It really hit me hard when I got the message that he passed away."
Elkins said the clerk's office likely will be closed until after Coursey's funeral Tuesday, and the courthouse will be closed the day of the funeral.
