Jerry Paul Ray

Jerry Paul Ray died Aug. 3 following a motorcycle accident in New Mexico on July 26.

Ray was born in Augusta, Arkansas, on Oct. 6, 1949, and grew up on a farm in Illinois. He, as well as his whole family, was very proud of the education and accomplishments he worked so hard to achieve. He graduated from East Peoria High School in 1968 and served three years in the Army. After his discharge he earned a bachelor’s in industry technology with an emphasis in electronics and safety from Illinois State University in 1974.

Ray enjoyed a 40+ year career in safety engineering with Allied Chemical, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Global Risk, Bechtel, and NSTec. He was a member of the American Safety Society of Engineers for 46 years and served as the president in 1997-98.

Ray was very active throughout his life. In high school, he was an accomplished wrestler and football player. As an adult, he was an avid runner completing three marathons and was a passionate, good, and experienced golfer as his endless golf ball collection indicates. He was instrumental in starting the Liberty High School Wrestling Organization in Brentwood and volunteered coaching the wrestlers for at least 10 years. He gave his time to the Professional Golf Association for all non-profit fundraising tournaments, within driving distance, as a scorer. He also worked on many, many more fundraisers for non-profits. Ray was a very friendly, generous, loving, and helpful person and an excellent handyman that could fix anything. His fun loving spirit, mentoring mind, and unyielding helping hand will be missed by all who knew him.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Linda (Wang) Ornellas Ray; daughter, Angela Ray of Andrews, Texas (Joyce Henderson Ray, mother); stepdaughter, Mindy (Ornellas) Carrington (Dan) of Orinda; grandchildren Vanessa and Jake Carrington; stepson, Mitch Maness of Byron (Kelen) and step-grandchildren, Anthony and Kimberlie Graunstadt.

Ray was part of a very large family. He was number three of eight children. Those surviving him are Gene (Nikki) Powers, Larry (Sharon) Ray, Thomas (Karen) Ray, Ken (Leslie) Ray, Neoma (Bill) Cardin and Vickie (Dave) Blackford as well as 16 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews, and four great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Thomas Morris Ray, Mother, Mary Isabel Ray and brother, David, who passed away in infancy.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, August 17 from 5:00-8:00 PM and a funeral service on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 AM at Callaghan Mortuary, 3833 East Ave in Livermore, CA. The Burial will be on Friday, August 19 at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Boulevard, Sacramento, CA. Jerry will be escorted from the Callaghan Mortuary in Livermore to his final resting place in Sacramento,