Charles H. Ray, Sr.

Charles H. Ray, Sr., 97, of West Terre Haute passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in his home.

He was born December 1, 1920 in Terre Haute to Charles H. Ray and Eleanor Hord Ray.

Charlie was a farmer. He was in the United States Marine Corp., serving in World War II as a fighter pilot. He attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, was  a member of the VFW Post 6574, American Legion, Strawberry Hill Cannoneers, Sons of The American Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars, and Joseph A. Bray Marine Corp. League. With great imagination and desire, Charlie accomplished many things throughout his long life; he spent 15 years researching his family ancestry; finding six ancestors in the American Revolution and eighteen in the Colonial Wars, framed 36 Salty Seaman watercolor annual paintings, displayed Indiana license plates from 1912 to date, moved and restored seven log cabins, self-taught blacksmithing, learned how to paint with oils, learned to split oak shingles for cabins, created horse trails through the woods, kept a daily diary, and  fed the birds everyday. Charlie also hosted the Cannoneers at his farm every September for the Fall Muster.

Charlie is survived by his sons, Charles Ray, Jr., (Janet), Dr. Howard Ray (Tracie) and Tony Ray (Deanna);  his grandchildren, Eleanor Ray, Charles Ray III (Kalan), Julie Ray Nasser (Elliott) and Mary Beth Ray; and his great grandchildren, Charles Ray IV and Kendall Ray.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife Dorothy Clare Ray, who passed away June 11, 2002; and his sister, Eleanor Lee.

Services will be held Friday, March 30, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3rd Street, West Terre Haute, Indiana, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery; Pastor Jeff Lee will be officiating.