Obituary of Harold Ray

Harold Ray was born on Dec 2,1938 in Middlesboro, KY to Ethel Atkins and Miles Ray. He was born one of eight children growing up in the” holler”, and was proud of his “hillbilly heritage.”  Harold moved to Michigan in 1951 with his family.

He was a jack of all trades working as a semi- truck driver, garbage man, factory worker and even had his own cleaning service “DON’T DELAY CALL RAY TODAY’. His biggest accomplishment- most proud of his 3 daughters, Kim, Paula and Amy: saying “ I got me a brunette a blonde and a red head”.

Later, Harold’s pride and joy was spending time with his grandchildren. With Harold’s child-like quality and fierce independent streak (“I know what I’m a doing”). He was more self-taught than higher education. Haroldini (nickname) was usually happy; laughing, joking and teaching tricks and games. Card tricks [Pete and Joe], chess and math riddles were some of his favorite past times.

Harold was hands on for most events/ holidays.

*creating/ dressing up for the church fun house

*taking his girls trick or treating, filling up pillow case after pillow case of treats

*full on Christmas décor (even the privy was pretty)

*dressing like Santa making sure his girls were blessed even with little.

*helping provide us with a new habitat house (hands on work/ volunteer)

*trips to the lake/ fishing and never being able to fish himself because of baiting and taking fish off for the kids.

*camping at grandma Ray’s

*going to the fair and making cotton candy.

*penny candy runs.

*jumping the fence at Bill and Nancy’s to go to the roller rink.

Harold had a generous heart, helping others when and where he could.  At times, he had his own halfway house for those needing a leg up (Harold knew well about personal and financial struggles). He began collecting (holding onto things) just like his mom, he was a chip off the old block. Everything was a “collector’s item.”.

To all of us he was a unique and amazing man and will always be “priceless”.

Harold was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother and father, 6 of his siblings, (Arvena, Bo, Nancy, Lorean, Imogene, Lily Mae), and granddaughter Caterah Danik.  He is survived by his brother Clarence Ray (Georgia), children -Kim Hillman, Paula (Malachi) Caley, Amy (Jay) Kilpatrick, 10 grandchildren- Joshua (Brittany), Zacheriah, and Dakota Hillman, Samantha and Dylan Potter, Jacob and Lucas Kilpatrick, Daniel, Allen and Emalie Caley, and 7 great grandchildren, Kaleigh, Paeton, Carter, Cooper and Oliver Hillman, Shelby and Ryder Caley. As well as several nieces and nephews.