On Saturday Feb. 20, our son, a young life full of vigor and love, passed from this life to an eternal life with God. Claude G. “C” Ray was and always will be a one of the good guys.

His love for life was as infectious as his smile. Sherrie, Maryanne and I want to say the expressions of love and support we received were overwhelming. As all of you know sometimes the family forgets to announce a detail. After all funeral expenses are paid any funds that are left over will go toward the local Boy Scout Troops to assist any deserving Scout that needs assistance going to summer camp. You can contact Freddie Voss or Ricky Warren to submit your donation. By doing this your donation will be tax deductible. Also, we are talking about setting up a scholarship program to aid those students who are working toward their GED.

There are too many men and women to name who influenced him in his travel through this life. We would like to name just some. Jesus Christ, his Uncle Ronald Redd, his grandmothers Erma Redd and Bernice Richardson, Benton Ables, Jimmy Taylor, Eric Adams, Everard and Jan Baker, Stan and Debbie Owens, Judge Jim Blough, Judge Al Johnson, John and Sharon Goodrich, former Sheriff Ronny Brown and his wife Angie, Sheriff Chuck Mayfield, Andy Yates, Billy Mathis, Curtis Gibson, David and Sandy Freeman, Sgt. Derky, Colonel Kern, Dr. Charles Borum, Scoutmaster Freddie Voss, Scoutmaster Ralph Tedder, Scoutmaster Ricky Warren, Scoutmaster Lonnie Belfield, Scout leader Jim Bell, Scout leader Ken Herring, Scout leader Bill Brown, all of his teachers at Natchez High, Co-Lin Natchez G.E.D. instructors, Bro. Steve Pearson, Bro. Bo Swilley, Bro. Dick Root, his supervisors at Natchez Market No. 1, Mike and Desiree Smith, Lana Prather, the men and women of the Covington Road church of Christ who treated him like their nephew and grandson.

We know we may have missed some names, but you know who you are. If you ever met Claude, you were touched by him in some form or fashion. His smile and charm no one could forget.

Always willing to please whether at church, at work, at home or during his volunteer duties the dedication he exhibited was genuine. A Christian, a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, an Eagle Scout, you will be missed.

Eddie Ray is the father of Claude Ray and a Natchez resident.