Ray Craig

We said "Later" as God said "Welcome Home" to Ray Monday night November 21, 2011.

Cancer took his body, but we will always have his spirit and love. Ray fought this battle hard for only a short time. He already knew how to go against adversity as he served his country in the Navy Seabees. Ray and I have really enjoyed traveling in our Motor coach for the past couple of years.... to Myrtle Beach State Park, SC, Kathryn Hanna City Park, Jacksonville, FL as Campground Hosts. We had plans to travel to Chippoke Plantation in VA, July, August and September then back to Myrtle Beach in November. God has really blessed us to be in good health and be able to enjoy retirement!!!

Last September Ray decided he wanted to lose about 30 lbs. He was up to about 256 and in the past all he had to do was cut back and start walking. That had always been his way of losing his extra pounds. In February we came home for our routine annual check ups and Ray was down to about 233 lbs. He was well on his way to his desired weight of about 220-225. At this time Ray's doctor said, "you are in good health." He had a little cough but did not think too much about it. He thought it was because of the pollen and sinus. He began to cough more and it was getting worse. He kept on losing weight even tho he was not trying to because he had reached his desired weight. I kept nagging him about calling the doctor. He would always say "I'll take care of it." subject closed. On May 20, I insisted he should call the doctor and he commented "I'm afraid to" ... so I made the call myself and simply told Ray Dr. Stewart wants you in his office Tuesday, May 24 th at 8:30 AM. We are going home Monday.

Ray went to Dr Stewart as scheduled, weighing in at 207 lbs. This was the beginning of the story. Dr.Stewart began to order tests.

On June 6, 11:30AM a CT Scan was ordered. Dr. Stewart called at 12:15PM to inform us there was a large growth in upper right lung. This was the reason he had been coughing and losing weight. Dr. Stewart wanted a lung biopsy ASAP and wanted him to see an onocologist.

On June 13, at 11:30 AM a biopsy was done. The results were... Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the lungs.

Ray was born March 21, 1942 in Fayetteville, NC. He graduated from Fayetteville High, June 2, 1960. Ray served in our US Navy Seabees June 2 , 1966 to May 31, 1968. During Ray's tour of duty in Vietnam he drove a wrecker in the combat zone, he served in the Twentieth Naval Constructiom regiment. Ray was instrumental in fund raising for the Vietnam orphan children. He received the National Defense Service Medal (1st Award), Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Ray served as a Range Officer where he was an instructor of M-16 on Rifle Range while in the states.

Ray worked for Colonial Stores as a Market Manager before and after his military service.

He was employed with Gregory Poole Equipment Company for twenty five years, retiring in August 2009. He began work at Gregory Poole Equipment company as a technician in the Fayetteville Branch. In a few months he was promoted to service manager and was tranferred to the GPEC Wilmington Branch. He was there for three years then transferred to the GPEC Hannahan, SC Branch near Charleston, SC. Ray stayed there for 15 years and then back to the Fayetteville Branch. He was transferred to different Branches when there was a need for strong management and structure. Ray had the ability to bring the bottom financial line UP whenever it was needed. Ray was a strong people person and knew how to manage and delegate. He could get the job done and still have happy employees. When Gregory Poole Equipment Co. inverted the triangle in management, Ray took the concept and implemented it assertively and with a positive attitude. His employees respected him and considered Ray their Leader. He would have dinners at his Branch on special occasions or "just because". Ray would plan, go to market, cut the steaks, bring his large cooker, make the salad, cook the steaks, cook the corn in the shuck, potatoes, and bread on his cooker and serve his employees with heartfelt love for each one.He retired from Gregory Poole Equipment Company September 2009 and after 2 days in retirement, Ray and Carol were at Myrtle Beach State Park volunteering as Campground Hosts.They then traveled to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville FL. They were scheduled to host in Chippoke State Park, VA, July 2011 but cancer changed his plans. Ray is a member of Johnston Memorial Methodist Church, Fayetteville, NC, a life time member of The VFW,a member of Coastal Tarheel Motor Coach Club and the Hope Mills Cruzers.

Ray will now be the guardian angel of his precious wife Carol, Daddy's girl Vivian Kelly, his son Tate Corney and wife Leslie. He will be busy watching over his 7 grand children - Liam, Noie, Elizabeth, Caleb, Hannah, Maddie and Ava. Ray is watching over his brothers Doug and Howard and their wives Jackie and Glenda.

Ray will be missed everyday but we know he is only a thought away and will remain in our hearts forever.


In lieu of flowers please make donations in Memory of Ray H. Craig to ALS Association, Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter, 120-101 Penmarc Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 in support of Chip Corney Team..or go to website. http://webnc.alsa.org/goto/TeamChipCorney2012 and make donations on line...

"A VETERAN IS SOMEONE WHO AT ONE POINT IN HIS LIFE WROTE A BLANK CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR AN AMOUNT UP TO AND INCLUDING MY LIFE."