CMSGT Lowell H Ray Ret.

USAF CMSGT Lowell H. Ray (Ret.), age 81, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 21, 2021. Born November 13, 1939 in Farmersville, KY, he was the son of the late Luther and Troy Mae (Sills) Ray. From modest beginnings on a small Kentucky farm with cardboard in the soles of his shoes to cover the holes, he exemplified “pulled himself up by his bootstraps”. Mr. Ray retired after over 20 distinguished years serving our country, including his time with the 353rd Air Force Training Squadron at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, SC which supported the Korat Royal Air Base in Thailand during Vietnam. He served at the Weisbaden AFB in Erbenheim, Germany and the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. He retired with a rank of US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. He loyally served as a crewmember on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews Maryland during the Nixon and Ford Administrations. He served as an executive with South Carolina National Bank. He continued to support his fellow troops working at PGBA Myrtle Beach with military health claim administration. Many remember him as a friendly face with Auto Zone and Advance Auto Parts following his retirement. Mr. Ray loved to be with kids and worked for Burroughs and Chapin at Jurassic Mini Golf in his late years. A longtime member of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, he served as an usher. He loved hunting and horses and never missed watching the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Always putting his family first, he was one of the good ones. A devoted father and husband, he cherished his wife, Judy. After their many years of marriage, he once quoted Clint Eastwood saying “Love like this happens but once in a lifetime.” He and his wife were residents of Conway, SC for over 35 years. Along with his parents, Lowell was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth Ray and a sister, Hilda (Ray) Bass. Surviving are his beloved wife of 60 years, Judy (Causey) Ray of Myrtle Beach; his twin sons, Donnie Alton Ray and wife, Love Lee (Beacham) Ray and Ronnie Austin Ray and wife, Susie Byers Ray; a daughter, Pamela (Ray) Baxter and wife Emily Baxter; four grandchildren Joshua Taylor, Joey Baxter, Kylie Baxter, and Marjorie Gilliam; and a sister, Rebecca (Ray) Alvey and husband Michael Alvey. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM with funeral services at 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel with Pastor Dr. Hank Corcoran officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway across from Coastal Carolina University. Following the graveside service, the family will receive friends for refreshments and fellowship at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church on Highway 501. All are welcome. Memorial donations may be made to The Horry County Salvation Army via website: https://give.salvationarmycarolinas.org or by mail: The Salvation Army – Carolinas, 501 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217 888-411-2769

CMSGT Lowell H Ray Ret.

November 13, 1939 - August 21, 2021