[2019] John Ray, Veteran US Army, WWII, Korea (35-19) 12 MAR 19

[sgtmack]

US ARMY VETERAN
The family of Mr. John L. Ray, a US Army Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders at the graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one.

John Linker Ray, 95 years young, passed away on Feb 24, 2019.
John accomplished many things in his life. He enrolled in the US Army Infantry at the age of 18 and fought bravely in World War II in North Africa and Italy. He met General George Patton and Winston Churchill during his time in WWII. He returned home to Arkansas in September,1945 by train. Little did he know that his homecoming would be brief – he left the following day, all arranged by his mother, to start his college education at the University of Arkansas. He completed his degree in 1949 and then re-enrolled in the Regular Army. In 1949, while in officer training school, he met his future wife, Charlotte Middlebrooks; they were married on Christmas Day, 1949. Soon after their marriage, the Korean War began and he was off to Korea where he served as a forward observer in the 1st Cavalry Division. In this combat, he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for gallantry in action. Upon his return to the United States, he rejoined his wife and their 1st child Mary in Arkansas. From Arkansas, they then moved to Indiana where their 2nd child Becky was born. Their next assignment was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where John attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce and earned his MBA. While in Pennsylvania, their 3rd child Jenny was born. In 1956, the Ray family had their 1st exposure to San Antonio, TX and spent 2 years at Fort Sam Houston where John passed the CPA exam. The family then moved to Germany for 3 years and then back to the States in 1963 to Leavenworth, Kansas where Missy the 4th Ray girl was born. In 1967 John’s superior work was recognized and he was assigned to the Pentagon as the Deputy Executive Secretary to the Director of the WSEG, Vice Admiral Masterson. This assignment earned him the Legion of Merit. In July,1968, John retired as a Lt Col from the US Army and moved his family across the country from Annandale, VA to San Antonio, TX where they established their home. John then started his second career at Incarnate Word College, later University of Incarnate Word where he served as the Vice President of Business and Finance for nearly 30 years. He finally stepped away from teaching in the early 2000’s to care for his wife lovingly when she developed Alzheimer’s Disease. In 2004, they sold their home and John moved in with Missy & Patrick and their family. During this time, he traveled extensively – to reunions of the 34th Infantry & 1st Cavalry, to Arkansas for Hanson family reunions, to Missouri to see his college buddy Bonnie and also on many family trips with the Isbell family. At the age of 89, he went white water rafting and ziplining in Tennessee! In Dec,2013 he was honored by a 90th birthday planned by his daughters. When he was 91, he had a major fall and suffered a head injury that limited his independence but did not stop him. He required 24 hr care which was lovingly provided over the years by Cindy, Lenore, Eva, Alma, Arlene, Ana and Yvette. All of these women took excellent care of him until his death. He is pre-deceased by his wife Charlotte and his 3 older daughters, Mary, Becky and Jenny. He is survived by his remaining daughter Melissa (Patrick, MD) Isbell, MD and his grandchildren Stephanie Bouvier, MD; Glen Lewis; Rachel Holloway (Mark O’Meara Barrera); John (Yuri) Overton and Nicholas, Cassie, Ashlen and Kayla Isbell. He is also survived by his son-in-law Clifford Rosanbalm and his great-granddaughters Corinne and Caroline Bouvier.

WEATHER: Hi 75 / Lo 57, 55% chance of rain, 76% Humidity

REQUESTOR: Melissa Ray Isbell, Daughter

STAGING: 1215 Hours, Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1470 Austin Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/ERgNaKivkcN2

BRIEFING: 1230 Hours

KSU: 1245 Hours (Semper Gumby)

INTERMENT: 1315 Hours – Shelter #5
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9DUsYSBUS92

RC: Pete “Sea Dog” Johnson
pfjohn127@gmail.com

FC: Alice “Cake Lady” Wagener
hwagener@sbcglobal.net

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.

2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.

3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!

4. Cemeteries are hallowed ground. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Show our respect to ALL who are in attendance.

5. If riding/driving a motorcycle on Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, which is located within a Military Installation, you will need to wear closed toe shoes, long sleeve shirt, gloves, DOT approved helmet, eye protection, long pants, and boots/shoes that cover the ankle.

***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.
At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.

If you choose to fly a flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.


Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Honor, Dignity, Respect
Cell: (562) 413-2223
bobtxpgr@gmail.com