James Edouard Ray
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Born on April 26, 1933, in Monett, Missouri, and passed away May 21, 2016 at the age of 83.
In 1945 the Ray family moved to Lakeport. Jim attended Clear Lake High School, played football, basketball, baseball and track, and met his future wife, Shirley Hage.
After graduating in 1951, he was a parts manager for Lake Chevrolet for seven years, then owned and operated Thrifty Food Market on Main Street in Lakeport for 17 years.
Jim was a volunteer on the Lakeport Fire Department for 16 years, became a professional fireman in 1975, retired in 1998, then continued as a volunteer for many more years. He served his community as a firefighter/EMT II for a total of 44 years.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Kathryn, and his brother Charles.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; sons, Robert (Karen) Ray and David (Kathy) Schultz; daughters, Rhonda (Dave) Stine and Richele Ray; grandchildren, Jason Brown, Michaela Stine, Jeanine Gentry, Jennifer Herrguth, David Ray, Tommy Stine, Nathan Ray, Jake Schultz, Josh Schultz, Darian Vaars, Rory Ottolini and Sarah Schultz; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jim had a kind heart, quick wit, immense love for family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all.
A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Saturday, May 28, at 1 p.m.
Family prefers donations to Lakeport Fire Department in Jim's memory.