Howard Keith Ray, 93, of Ocean Isle Beach, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024. He was born in Peoria, Illinois March 2, 1931, to John and Frances Cooke Ray. He married the love of his life, Ruth, in 1956 and they enjoyed 66 extraordinary years together until her death in 2022. He is survived by their 5 children: Colleen (Mike) Acre of Richfield Springs NY, Jonathan Ray of Salt Lake City UT, Andrea Ray of Clinton NY, Lisa Ray of Fairport NY, and Gordon Ray of Cape Coral FL, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, his sister Wilma and several nieces and nephews.. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frances, brother Jim, sister Phyllis, and wife Ruth.

Howard enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War and served as a Petty Officer 2nd Class from 1949-1953. After his service in the Navy, he attended the University of Illinois graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. He and his new wife, Ruth, moved to Albuquerque in 1956 and then to New York in 1961 where they lived until his retirement in 1993. Howard worked for General Electric in the Aerospace Division and traveled the world promoting their radar technology. When he was home, he and Ruth were very active in the Utica Jaycees, and he also participated in the choir at the New Hartford Methodist Church. He and Ruth were avid golfers and members at the Skenandoah Golf Club and Cedar Lake Golf Club. They also enjoyed playing bridge with friends.

When he retired, Howard and Ruth moved to their dream home in North Carolina and quickly became an active part of the newly formed Ocean Ridge Plantation community. Howard and Ruth shared a deep passion for music, and they were founding members of the Ocean Ridge Singers. He and Ruth were the driving force that helped to make the Ocean Ridge Singers the group it is today. He sang as a baritone and served as their director from 2003 - 2004. He and Ruth also started a winter bowling league. He continued to hone his golfing skills and achieved all four of his lifetime holes-in-one after moving to North Carolina, the last one occurring on his 85th birthday.

There will be a celebration of life at the Shallotte Brunswick Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and if anyone wishes to offer a remembrance of Howard, they are welcome to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.