Larry Graydon Ray

Dr. Larry Graydon Ray, Sr. of Decatur, GA died peacefully of a hemorrhagic stroke on Oct. 28th, 2013 at Emory University Hospital surrounded by his loving family. L. G. Ray was born Dec. 9th, 1933 in Jacksonville, FL to Rev. Laurie Graydon and Katherine Jane Ray. He spent his earliest years in Lakeland, FL after which his family moved to Lake Wales where he attended Lake Wales High School. He was legendary for his many misadventures there including accidently blowing up the chemistry lab and sailing a bicycle in a Lake Wales hurricane. He attended Emory-at-Oxford College and Emory University, 1952-'55, where he majored in chemistry, and, among sundry other pastimes, was a tenor in the Oxford Glee Club, a proud Sigma Chi and a student curator at the Emory Museum. He led a rich and varied life during the summers of his college years, holding jobs as a factory worker at U.S. Phosphoric in Tampa, an ice cream sandwich vendor in Lake Wales and an elevator operator in Boca Grande, FL. Larry continued his Emory education by entering medical school there in 1955. One day while spending time at Dooley's Den, Larry looked up from the jukebox to discover the love of his life- Atlanta native, Emory University undergrad and English major, Frances Ozilline Walker - approaching him. They married on August 23rd, 1958 and in 1959, Larry graduated from Emory Medical School. He completed a rotating internship at Emory (University Hospital and Atlanta VAMC) before attending Flight Surgeon training at the U.S. Naval base in Pensacola, FL. He and Frances were stationed on the Pacific island of Guam in 1961 and '62 where he served as a Lieutenant Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Navy. According to family legend, while on deployment with his squadron to the Philippines, he made a trade with a local that to this day lives in wonder and mystery in his children's minds-a ballpoint pen for a bow and arrow-it was a great arrow he said. In 1963, Larry and Frances returned stateside to finish his duties at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL. In 1964, Larry and Frances moved back to Georgia, where he was a resident in Radiology at Atlanta's Grady Hospital, and in 1965, joined a Radiology practice at Georgia Baptist Hospital (Atlanta Medical Center), where he worked until his retirement in 1997. While at GA Baptist Hospital, he served as Chairman of the Radiology Dept. as well as President of the Medical Staff. Although he was a dedicated physician, his true passion lay in his myriad of hobbies, which along with his love for waffles with peanut butter and maple syrup, he passed down to his kids and grandchildren. They include RC airplanes, fishing, science and nature, family travel, gardening, beekeeping, astronomy, water skiing, bird watching and dark room photography. He was always an early adopter of technology (from Hi-Fi audio to texting) as well as a handyman wizard. Besides the Ray home in Decatur, GA, Larry's true geographical center and the heart of his existence was the Come Hither house in Englewood, FL, which his parents, Laurie and Jane, built in 1952. He and Frances maintained and nurtured this little cottage on the beach for the extended Ray clan, and created a true legacy in his wake. Dr. Larry G. Ray, Sr. was a devoted, loving husband and father, and a best friend to his wife of 55 years, Frances Ozilline Walker Ray; he was a seeker of truth, an Eagle Scout, and a truly selfless man. He taught all of us by his example, showing his moral fortitude through his humble generosity with his family, friends and community; his relentless energy for life; and his profound willingness to evolve and grow. In addition to his beloved spouse, Dr. Ray is survived by his 4 children and their spouses - Laura (and Tracey), Susan (and Julie), Amy (and Carrie), and Larry, Jr.; his 4 grandchildren - Laurie, Simon, Nathan and Alex; his 3 sisters - Janet, Nancy, and Diana; his 11 remarkable nieces and nephews; and his numerous and gifted cousins. He will be sorely missed. Visitation will be held at A.S. Turner and Sons on Friday, November 1st, 2013 from 6-9 pm. His memorial service will be held at Decatur First United Methodist Church at 2pm on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 with the Rev. Dr. David Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Decatur First United Methodist Church, Oxford College of Emory University, or the Atlanta Community Food Bank. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033