JACKSON – Gordon Wayne Ray, Sr., 68, of 6958 Hwy. 305 Jackson, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids, NC.

Bo was born in Halifax County, NC, son of the late Otis Franklin Ray and Mattie Hudson Ray. He was a retired line superintendent with Roanoke Electric Cooperative and the owner of Ray’s Electric.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Nadine Ray Eldridge and Patsy Ray Whitby; and four brothers: James Elmo Ray, Valton Ray, William “Red” Ray and Freddie Ray.

Bo was the youngest of 10 children raised on “Bunker Hill” in Roanoke Rapids. Bo was a breath of fresh air for those who knew him. He loved to work, laugh loud, work, spend time with his family and of course….work! He was very happy talking about his work “on the power lines”. He had a great name, he was well respected…. Something he earned over and over. We will miss him so much.

Survivors include his wife, Gayle Barnes Ray; three sons, Gordon Wayne Ray, Jr. and his wife, Lori, of Wilmington, NC, Matthew Damon Ray and his wife, Patrice, of Wilmington, NC and Jeffery Neil Ray of Jackson; a sister, Mildred Eleanor Ray of Roanoke Rapids; two brothers, Theodore “Ted” Ray and his wife, Gloria, of Smithfield, VA and Graham “Booster” Ray of Roanoke Rapids; six grandchildren, Lauren Michelle Ray of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Dennis Ray, Joshua Ray, Brandon Ray, Dillon Smith and Zachary Smith, all of Wilmington, NC; and a cousin, Randy Ray of Roanoke Rapids.

Funeral services will be conducted at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, NC at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2011 with the Rev. Dan Earnhardt officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive at Wrenn Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service, Roanoke Rapids, on Friday, January 21, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and other times at the residence.

Memorial donations may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church, Jackson, NC. 27845.