Clarence W. Ray Obituary
A visitation will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A funeral will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 8, 2024, beginning at 12:00 PM; the family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. Memorial contributions may be made to West Michigan Cancer Center c/o the funeral home.
Age 82, passed away on May 31, 2024, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place with loved ones at his side. He was born in Valley Creek, TN, on July 16, 1941, the son of the late Miles and Ethel (Adkins) Ray. Clarence was a man full of joy whose positivity was inspirational. He had a selfless heart and was always about acts of kindness for others. He had a wonderful smile and sense of humor which instantly set those around him at ease. To know Clarence was to love him and he will be missed by all. He worked hard to provide for his family, retiring from the Kalamazoo City Water Department after thirty-seven years. Never one to stay idle, he found part time work as a delivery driver at VanderSalm's Flower Shop and enjoyed making new friends at every stop. Clarence enjoyed traveling and taking Sunday drives around Michigan's many lakes. He never forgot his southern roots and made many trips back to Tennessee. He loved being outdoors, spending time in nature while also finding time to have fun inside at local casinos. Clarnece hummed and sang his way through life, making up his own joyful lyrics as he went. Though his life has passed, his song plays on in the lives of those he loved. Clarence married the love of his life Georgia (Sanders) Ray who preceded him in passing on December 30, 2021. He was also preceded in passing by a daughter, Robin Wadsworth, an infant daughter, Theresa Sue Ray; grandchildren, Kristina Harvey, Mike Lampe, and seven siblings. Clarence is survived by four loving children, Mark (Rita) Ray, Diana (John) Maury, Lisa (Howard) Dark, Christine (Jeff) Barr; twelve grandchildren, Tara, Jennifer, Alexis, Mark II, Ashley, Darren, Tiffany, Howard Jr., Matthew, Kara and Kaitlyn; twenty-one great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews extended family and friends.
