I think most of us know Ray died January 12, 2007 while hunting. He had a heart attack while on his 4-wheeler and died immediately. Even though it took 2 days to find him, he did not suffer. Ray had his moments, but basically he was a good man. Most all liked him. He has been missed around The Italian Club.
I played a lot of football with Ray at GHS. He was the right end and I was the left end on defense. And he was the tight end and I was the split end on offense. A great guy and hard nosed football player. I can still see Ray catching the 4th down pass from Marvin Lott at Tupelo in '69 to keep the winning drive alive where we won the game...over the middle, next to the linebacker. He took a big hit after he caught it but he still hung on. Then a couple plays later, I think Sam Fleming caught the touchdown pass to win against the #5 team in the state. I didn't keep up with Ray after high school but we shared a lot of memories on the football field.
Talk about a fun loving guy, Ray was that and more. Playing football at GHS back then was an honor, he played the game very well. I used to tease him about going over to the ditch that ran along the west side of the practice field and trying to sneak a hand full of ditch water...he would always say he would bring me back a handfull. We would laugh at just the thought of him doing that plus getting caught by Coach Paul.
He was a neighborhood and school friend. I remember Ray talking me and a couple of friends to join all the neighborhood guys in a game of football when we were in Junior High. I didn't have a clue what I was suppose to be doing, but Ray just laughed telling me what I was doing wrong. I've never played football since. We had some great times and he was a good friend.
Sandra Kay Mitchell (Chambless) (1970)
I think most of us know Ray died January 12, 2007 while hunting. He had a heart attack while on his 4-wheeler and died immediately. Even though it took 2 days to find him, he did not suffer. Ray had his moments, but basically he was a good man. Most all liked him. He has been missed around The Italian Club.Charles Whitacre (1970)
I played a lot of football with Ray at GHS. He was the right end and I was the left end on defense. And he was the tight end and I was the split end on offense. A great guy and hard nosed football player. I can still see Ray catching the 4th down pass from Marvin Lott at Tupelo in '69 to keep the winning drive alive where we won the game...over the middle, next to the linebacker. He took a big hit after he caught it but he still hung on. Then a couple plays later, I think Sam Fleming caught the touchdown pass to win against the #5 team in the state. I didn't keep up with Ray after high school but we shared a lot of memories on the football field.Kenny Sims (1971)
Talk about a fun loving guy, Ray was that and more. Playing football at GHS back then was an honor, he played the game very well. I used to tease him about going over to the ditch that ran along the west side of the practice field and trying to sneak a hand full of ditch water...he would always say he would bring me back a handfull. We would laugh at just the thought of him doing that plus getting caught by Coach Paul.R.I.P. my friend.
Sandra K Hill (Herron) (1970)
He was a neighborhood and school friend. I remember Ray talking me and a couple of friends to join all the neighborhood guys in a game of football when we were in Junior High. I didn't have a clue what I was suppose to be doing, but Ray just laughed telling me what I was doing wrong. I've never played football since. We had some great times and he was a good friend.