Harrell E. "Buddy" Ray

Harrell E. “Buddy” Ray, lifelong Memphis resident, died on Friday, the 9th of September 2016. Born on January 17, 1949 to the late Harrell R. & Charlene Noah Troxell, and was also preceded in death by his step-brother Richard Carter. Buddy graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1968. He attended Memphis State University studying in the criminal justice program. He retired after 28 years of public service as an Executive Lieutenant of the Memphis Police Department where he also received several distinguished marksmanship awards. After the MPD he became an independent auto wholesaler. Mr. Ray was also a Mason and member of the Al Chymia Shrine Temple. He loved anything to do with the outdoors; fishing, camping, going to the lake or beach. He enjoyed fishing, owned his own race car, and along with his wife Mary Jo, belonged to several wine clubs. The family cordially invites you to a gathering from five o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 12th of September, 2016 and funeral services will begin at ten o’clock the following morning at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. Harrell is survived by his wife of 31 years Mary Jo Ray; children Mike (Brooke) Williams, Kim (Jason) Logan, Lindsey Ray, and Laura (Jeff) Fisher; sister Beth Barbaro; brother Lee Carter; Reagan Williams and four other grandchildren. The family requests financial contributions in Buddy’s honor are sent to the Memphis Police Association, Charitable Foundation, 638 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Online condolences and floral gifts may be offered through www.memphisfuneralhome.net.