Tommy Joe Ray died in his sleep on Christmas Eve in the presence of family and friends. Tommy Joe was born to John Woods Ray and Rhea Stacks Ray (Asbury) in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. His family finally settled in California after brief residence in Oregon during the 1940's. He graduated from Antioch High School and lettered in football in 1954. He met the love of his life, Carmen, on a blind date and they married in 1957. He graduated from Laney College to pursue his career as a Merganthalers's hot metal linotype operator in the composing room. He was skilled in all areas of newspaper production, from composing, camera, platemaking, and both flatbed and offset presses. Tommy then worked his way up as pressroom foreman at the Antioch Daily Ledger and as an assistant foreman at the Urbanite Plant in Hayward from where he retired. Tommy worked for more than 44 years in the newspaper industry.
Tommy Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, and family gatherings. He devoted much of his free time to helping family and friends especially those in dire need through his church. He was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and acted as teacher in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program. Those that know him will always remember his extraordinary feats of strength, generosity, and his jovial personality.
Tommy Joe Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carmen; sons Tommy and Robert; brothers John Ray, Ronald Ray and stepbrother Raymond Lanier; sister Mattie Perry and stepsister Norma Harwell. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch on December 31, 2009.
Tommy Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, and family gatherings. He devoted much of his free time to helping family and friends especially those in dire need through his church. He was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and acted as teacher in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program. Those that know him will always remember his extraordinary feats of strength, generosity, and his jovial personality.
Tommy Joe Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carmen; sons Tommy and Robert; brothers John Ray, Ronald Ray and stepbrother Raymond Lanier; sister Mattie Perry and stepsister Norma Harwell. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch on December 31, 2009.
Tommy Joe Ray died in his sleep on Christmas Eve in the presence of family and friends. Tommy Joe was born to John Woods Ray and Rhea Stacks Ray (Asbury) in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. His family finally settled in California after brief residence in Oregon during the 1940's. He graduated from Antioch High School and lettered in football in 1954. He met the love of his life, Carmen, on a blind date and they married in 1957. He graduated from Laney College to pursue his career as a Merganthalers's hot metal linotype operator in the composing room. He was skilled in all areas of newspaper production, from composing, camera, platemaking, and both flatbed and offset presses. Tommy then worked his way up as pressroom foreman at the Antioch Daily Ledger and as an assistant foreman at the Urbanite Plant in Hayward from where he retired. Tommy worked for more than 44 years in the newspaper industry.
Tommy Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, and family gatherings. He devoted much of his free time to helping family and friends especially those in dire need through his church. He was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and acted as teacher in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program. Those that know him will always remember his extraordinary feats of strength, generosity, and his jovial personality.
Tommy Joe Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carmen; sons Tommy and Robert; brothers John Ray, Ronald Ray and stepbrother Raymond Lanier; sister Mattie Perry and stepsister Norma Harwell. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch on December 31, 2009.
Tommy Joe enjoyed traveling, fishing, and family gatherings. He devoted much of his free time to helping family and friends especially those in dire need through his church. He was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and acted as teacher in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program. Those that know him will always remember his extraordinary feats of strength, generosity, and his jovial personality.
Tommy Joe Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carmen; sons Tommy and Robert; brothers John Ray, Ronald Ray and stepbrother Raymond Lanier; sister Mattie Perry and stepsister Norma Harwell. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch on December 31, 2009.
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