Irvin G. Ray

Ray, Major General Irvin G., USAFR Ret., 79, of Tierra Verde, FL, died Saturday April 24, 2004 at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. Born in Milford, Mass., he came here in 1978 from Rhode Island. He was a graduate of the USAF Air War College and held a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Roger Williams College in Rhode Island. His graduate study was in Business Administration at Bryant College in Smithfield, RI. He earned a Master?s Degree in Business Administration at Bryant College, Smithfield, RI. He completed over forty years of military service with his career starting in 1942 when he enlisted as a Private and was assigned to the First Cavalry Division of the US Army. He spent WWII in the Pacific Theater as a member of the famed Alamo Scouts where he participated in numerous reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines. After WWII, the Gen. transferred to the US Air Force where he spent the next 40 years as a member of the Air Force and Air National Guard, and served during the Korean War, the Berlin Contingency and stateside during the Vietnam period. During his military career, he served as Commander of numerous organizations and finally as Advisor to the Commander of Air Force Communications Service. His numerous decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, Master Weapons Controller Badge and several theater ribbons. In 1970 he was released from active duty and reassumed command of the 102nd Tactical Control Squadron. In 1971 he was named Commander of the newly activated 156th Tactical Control Group in the Air National Guard. In 1972, he was designated the Air National 407L TACS Liaison Officer, and for the next several years, he was the primary focal point for the conversion, equipping and training of USAF tactical control organizations in the sophisticated 407L TACS. In 1978, he was selected to be the senior Air National Guard Advisor to the Commander, Air Force Communications Command, a position he held until his retirement on June 30th, 1983. He was currently employed by the Uniysys Corporation formerly the Sperry Corporation as a Program Manager and Systems Analyst. He served as a member of the Board of Directors at Radiation Systems, Inc. in Sterling, VA. He was a boating enthusiast and member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where he served formerly as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee as well as the Cruising Fleet. He was the Past President of the Harbor Watch Association and on the board of the Tierra Verde Association. He served as an usher at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Theresa ?Terry?; two daughters: Bobbi Ray Carter, Tarpon Springs; and Karen Ray Mathews, St. Petersburg; and Major Michael Terry Ray, Raleigh, NC currently deployed in Iraq with the Maryland Air National Guard; and seven grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel.