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James H. Bray Jr.

Published/Last Modified on Friday, Sep 28, 2007 - 05:15:58 am MST

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Sept. 17, 1939 - Aug. 25, 2007

James H. Bray Jr., 67, died on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, N.C. He was born on Sept. 17, 1939, in Thomasville, N.C. He was the son of the late James Hoyt Bray and Marguerite Fraylick Bray.

He attended Mars Hill College and served his beloved United States of America as both an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army, in the Philippines, and a civilian for the Department of the Army for 37 years, residing in many states.

He returned to his native North Carolina upon retirement, where he spent several happy years in Raleigh. His favorite times were spent at his wonderful beach home on the golf course with his dear golf buddies, his children and four granddaughters. He also enjoyed the opportunities to serve others through different volunteer missionary trips, including Jamaica, Alaska, North Carolina and Mississippi, after the hurricanes and at other locations.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandra; his daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Ken Orsillo of Charlotte, N.C.; son and daughter-in-law, James and Kimberly Bray III of Roanoke, Va.; and four granddaughters, Kacey and Nicole Orsillo and Rachael and Olivia Bray. He also is survived by lots of relatives and friends — especially the “golfer guys.” We will miss his friendly smile and bright blue eyes.

The family remembered Jim’s life with friends and family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Ave. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at Crabtree Valley Baptist Church, 4408 Lead Mine Road. Interment, with military honors, followed at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Arrangements with Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to www.MeM.com. Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk VA 23509.

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Lana wrote on Sep 28, 2007 7:15 AM:

" Sandra, I am sorry to hear Jim has passed. I have such fond memories of our families in Sierra Vista and in Pennsylvania. Even Melanie remembered the time she accidentally slugged James with a baseball bat...and Michael finding a place to sleep in a corner while we were all dining, Jim pulling James & Caroline in the little red wagon, and of course the night Jim, Bill, Ace, and Elmer dressed up in dark clothes and white tennis shoes to find lumber to screen in our back patio. Great memories. "