Jimmy Donald Wray (J.D.) joined Jesus in heaven on February 3, 2022, in Tallahassee FL. He was 93 years old.
He was born in Tabor City, NC to Jesse F. Wray and Mamie McPherson Wray on November 9, 1928. He was a farmer until the age of nineteen, when he joined the Navy. He was active Navy for 4 years, and remained in the Naval Reserves with a total of 33 years served, retiring at NAS JAX as a Chief Petty Officer. He loved the Navy and his Country.
Jimmy married the love of his life, Carol, in Chicago, IL while stationed at Great Lakes. Soon after, they moved to Wilmington, NC and eventually to Jacksonville, FL in 1960, where they raised his four children. He was employed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, now known as CSX Transportation. He held the position of Supervisor of Data Control and Customer Information Services. His full-time job at the railroad, part time job in the Men and Boys Shoe Dept at Sears Roebuck & Co., and one weekend a month at NAS JAX left him little time for hobbies, but he was always available for his children. He took them for long walks on the beach and in the sand dunes. He was there for their special school events and Sunday church services. He loved being a grandfather and meeting all of his great grandchildren, to date. There was also not a family pet he did not love.
In his last years, while living with his daughter Patty Dehner and her husband, he acquired many additional friends in the Tallahassee area because he never met a stranger! He was able to enjoy life to the fullest, joining in many fishing trips, beach vacations, family parties and events and he always had plenty of stories to share. He also participated in the HONOR FLIGHT TALLAHASSEE on May 18, 2019 - from Tallahassee, FL to Washington, D.C. with his daughter Patty Dehner. A very memorable occasion for them both. Daddy loved, and was dedicated to his family, always telling them, "I Love You More."

Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife Carol A. Wray; parents, Jesse F. and Mamie M. Wray; and sisters, Ruby Strickland, Alice Batton and Pauline Purkall. He is survived by his four children, Linda Wray Spiering (Lyle), Michael J. Wray (Janet), David C. Wray (Cindy) and Patty Wray Dehner (Ron); 6 grandchildren, Daniel Spiering, Steven Wray, Matthew Whatley, Rachel Wray, Ryan Dehner and Alex Dehner; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces, all of whom he loved dearly.

Please use this link to attend the service virtually through Zoom:

https://viewneral.zoom.us/j/ 97330328897?pwd= YXpRcUN4U1p2RkVGVjNiQ2JEZUppZz 09

Arrangements have been entrusted to the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home.