Ronald Knight Ray

ADRIAN- Ronald Knight Ray, 96, passed away August 6, 2022 at his home in Adrian, surrounded by his loving family. He was just 11 days shy of his 97th birthday. Ronald was born August 17, 1925 at home in Palymra, MI, the son of George Albert and Mildred Lodemia (Knight) Ray. The family soon moved to Adrian in October of 1925, and Ronald has lived there ever since. Ronald graduated from Adrian High School in 1943, and shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He was assigned to the First Marine Division and served in the Pacific Theatre. He participated in action against the enemy at Peleliu Island, at Okinawa and in the occupation of China. He received an honorable discharge in March 1946. He returned home to and went to work at Hurd Locke in Adrian. It was there he met the love of his life, Phyllis Jeanne Peebles. There were married on May 17, 1947, in Adrian by the Rev. G. Arthur Valentin. Ronald learned the floor covering business with support of the GI Bill. He ran the successful Ray’s Floor Covering, where he served and installed flooring products for many years. In 1970, Ronald and Phyllis, opened Ray’s Carpet Center, followed shortly by Ray’s Linoleum and Tile Center. Following their retirement in 1990, they made Palmetto, FL. their home for the winter months. Ronald and Phyllis loved to travel and took their family on many camping trips across the United States. Ronald was an avid “rock hound”, and took great care in cutting and polishing the rocks he collected. He loved animals and always had a pet. Ronald leaves behind his cat, Mouse, his companion for the last 14 years. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, and will be greatly missed by his family. Ronald is survived by a son, Thomas (Sandra) Ray of Adrian; daughters, Rebecca (Richard) Carver of Ann Arbor and Judith (Phillip) Rumpf of Adrian; 11 grandchildren, Timothy and Matthew Ray, Ronnee Rumpf, Robert (Christina) Cotton, Katherine (Douglas) Fenneman, Christopher (Linda) Rumpf, Nikki (Jason) Lane, Kassandra (Jason) McFall, Brett (Krista) Cotton, Daniel Rumpf and Kristopher (Elizabeth) Carver; 16 great-grandchildren, Kyle Lawson,Kari Chapman, Colin Cotton, Caitlyn Cotton, Sage Lane, Madison, Brock, Jacob, Zachary and Aaron Rumpf, Caroline Carver, Liam McFall, Alexadra Fenneman, Jackson McFall and Charles Carver; three step-great-grandchildren, Brandon Meyers, Cameron Malone and Jacob Hunter; and one great-great-grand daughter, Waverly Cotton; and one niece and one nephew. In addition to his wife and parents, Ronald was preceded in death by his daughters, Jo Anne Ray in 2017 and Yvonne Ray in 2001; brother, George Ray and four sisters, Mildred Kartlick, Margaret Lodemia Ray, Margaret Viola Ray and Oda Rowena Ray. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Betz officiating. Burial will follow at Palmyra cemetery. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Ronald Knight Ray

August 17, 1925 - August 6, 2022