Thomas Lee Ray

Thomas graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1965. Go Sooners!! Selected to attend the US Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, he received the commission of Ensign, USN. He spent 3.5 years assigned to the USS Hanson, a destroyer, with 2 deployments to Vietnam.

Once appointed to USS Hansson, in 1966, he married Susan Elaine Young of Eufaula, Oklahoma. That was train wreck number one. Then on August 3rd 1969, the highlight of his life was born, Patricia Elizabeth (Ray) Carvalho in Chula Vista, California just prior to departing the US Navy. Upon departure from the Navy, as Lt. JG, he joined Johnson and Johnson in Operations Management. It was his work at J & J that helped create the Covid vaccine years later.

Later he joined Shaklee in San Francisco, California as Senior Director of Operations. He never had any complaints while working there, with the exception of the last 10-12 years, well and years 5-7, but aside from that, no complaints whatsoever! He did remarry during that time briefly, which was train wreck number 2, but we don’t talk about that.

During his time at Shaklee, he met Rosemary Eileen Moss and they married in 1991. Third time's the charm as they say!! They remained married until her death in August of 2015. In 2001 after retiring, he and Rosemary retired to Citrus County, Florida where he enjoyed golfing until his daughter bought him custom fit golf clubs which he claimed messed up his golf game.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and taking various cruises with his wife. He and Rosemary also rescued Pugs in their spare time and spent a lot of their retirement on local veterinary bills. He later took up Bridge and volunteering with UNESCO and Global Feed the Children entities. He was appointed Wildlife Conservationist by the United Nations for his work.

He is survived by his favorite daughter; Patricia Carvalho, his favorite Son-in-Law John Carvalho, and their 3 children; Samantha, Lindsay and Felicity Carvalho. His other favorite Step-son; Bob Moss, and his wife Erin Moss and their four children; Mitchell, Wick, Cheyanne, and Nicholai all of whom worship the ground he walked on. He is also survived by his favorite little brother, Ken Ray and his lovely wife Judy. As well as his various cousins including “The Precious One’s.”

Thomas will be entombed in Bushnells Veterans Cemetery with his wife Rosemary, where he will spend his eternity probably pissing her off by interrupting her morning coffee and crossword.