Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Henry Jonathan Ray III, 82, of Oxford, who died peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 20. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at McKibben and Guinn. Friends of the family were invited to share in the celebration of Henry’s life, which continues in a better realm.
Henry was born on Nov. 26,1942, in Alexandria, La., the cherished child of the late Fern Pendergrast and the late Henry Jonathan Ray Jr. While his father was in the Pacific during World War II, Henry, his twin sister, Penny, and his mother lived with maternal grandparents in New Orleans, La. After World War II, the family returned to his father’s hometown of Grenada where he was raised. His sister, Judy, was born there.
Henry attended the public schools in Grenada and graduated from John Rundle High School in 1961. He attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi College in 1967, with a degree in history.
After teaching in the public schools in Pascagoula and Tupelo, Henry joined the United States Air Force in October 1968. Trained at Lackland Air Force Base and Chanute Air Force Base, Henry served as a weather observer at Columbus Air Force Base until his honorable discharge in September 1972.
As a child, Henry had shared his interest in weather with his mother and his maternal grandfather, Julian Pendergrast. Upon discharge from the service, Henry continued his education as a meteorologist at the University of Tennessee and Arizona State University. He worked for the National Climatic Data Center of NOAA in Asheville, N.C., for more than 35 years, receiving awards for his work there.
In retirement, Henry continued living in Asheville, N.C., until moving to Birmingham, Ala., and then back to Mississippi in 2016. He lived for the last nine years in Oxford at an assisted living facility.
Henry was raised in All Saints Episcopal Church in Grenada. He was especially known for his fine singing voice, which he used to glorify God throughout his life. As an adult, Henry joined the United Methodist Church. Henry had a deep Christian faith that was reflected in his acts of kindness and generosity. He studied the Bible daily and became truly knowledgeable. He was always a good, knowledgeable talker and could make an argument. Many a preacher met their match in Henry.
In addition to his parents, his grandparents, Rosa and Henry Ray, and Freda and Julian Pendergrast, preceded Henry in death.
Survivors include, his daughter, Julie Elizabeth Ray (Charles Gillon); his sisters, Penny Sisson (Ed) and Julienne Ray Carroll, and his nephew, Charles Carroll (Christin).
Robert McElrath, David McElrath, Jerry Pegg, John Lippincott, Fred Griffin and Coley Bailey honored Henry by serving as pallbearers. Phil Poovey and Herb Parks served as honorary pallbearers.
The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Elison Assisted Living and Arden Home Health and Hospice for their kindness, compassion and skilled healing ministry. The family also appreciates the compassion and ministry of the clergy and lay ministers of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Oxford University United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation or to a charity of their choice.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
