He was a native of Frisco, Texas and had been a resident of Sulphur since 1990, coming from Mansfield, Texas. John worked as a supervisor with Louisiana Pigment for seventeen years until his retirement in 2008 and previously worked for LTV Aerospace & Defense in Grand Prairie, Texas. In addition to spending time with his children and grandchildren, John enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, raising animals, and especially enjoyed good food prepared by his loving wife.
Survivors (AKA "Who's Gonna Fill His Shoes") include his wife of 34 years, Joyce Spano McRay of Sulphur; his children, Laurie Nelson Martin and husband, Chip of Lake Charles, Brad Walen McRay of Hackberry, Christon Kayne Nelson and wife, Dawn of Singer, and Amanda Nelson Steiner and husband, Chad of Castle Rock, Colorado; his grandchildren, Shawn McRay, Alexander Martin, Adam Martin, Andrew Martin, Nathan McRay, Christon James Nelson, Nicholas McRay, Kailyn Mae Steiner, and Ann-Marie Steiner; six great-grandchildren; four nieces; and the mother of his children, Shirley Benoit Parker of Kirbyville, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Lee and Pearl Marie McRay; his son, Damond Wayne McRay; and his sister, Sherry Lynn Miller.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Deacon Don Howard will officiate. Pallbearers will be his seven grandsons. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Friday with a rosary service at 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday in the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff of Harbor Hospice for their excellent care of John. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
