A memorial service will be held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Homewood Senior Center in Homewood, Ala., for Mr. Jackie Ray Prestridge, 71, of Homewood, Ala., who died on Monday, April 17, at his residence. Fellow firefighters and close friends will deliver the eulogy. The Homewood Fire Department Honor Guard will present formal honors.
Ray was born on July 16, 1951, in Birmingham, Ala., the son of the late John William Harris and the late Euna Mae Harris. He was a standout athlete at Phillips High School in Birmingham, Ala., lettering in football and baseball, and was a proud member of the Class of 1969. He continued his baseball career into his early 20s and later played Class A softball for more than a decade.
Ray retired from Homewood Fire Department as a lieutenant after 35 years of service as a fireman and paramedic. After retirement, he was always willing to help anyone in need at any time. He was a diehard University of Alabama Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed watching and attending various sporting events. His long phone conversations and infectious smile will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, his sisters, Brenda George, Charlotte Prestridge and Donna Harris, and his grandparents, Will and Ruby Prestridge and Willie and Lula Nesbitt, preceded Ray in death.
Survivors include, his five children, Eric (Leigh) Prestridge of Oak Mountain, Ala., Jennifer (Jimmy) Wilson of Hayden, Ala., Rachel (Bryce) Phillips of Wiggins, Miss., Adam (Jennifer) Prestridge of Grenada, Miss., and Amanda (Andreas) Wald of Overath, Germany; 11 grandchildren, Evan Prestridge, Tristan Prestridge, Colin Prestridge, Caleb Wilson, Violet Grace Wilson, Paige Phillips, Easton Phillips, Ethan Prestridge, Logan Prestridge, Henri Wald and Maximilian Wald; his brothers, David (Charla) Harris of Clanton, Ala., and Randy Harris of Golden Valley, Ariz.; his sister, Karen Causey of Birmingham, Ala.; his uncle, Sidney Nesbitt of Hoover, Ala., his children’s mothers, Sandra Nail Hicks (Richard) and Debbie Parsons Prestridge, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to the Homewood Fire Department, 2850 19th St. S., Homewood, AL 35209; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate; the Greater Birmingham Humane Society at www.gbhs.org/donate or a first responder charity of your choice.
W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory in Birmingham, Ala., and the Homewood Fire Department Honor Guard assisted the family with arrangements.
