James Thomas “Tommy” Wray passed peacefully to be with God at the age of 75 on August 6, 2020, surrounded by his family, including his wife, Elaine, of fifty-four years. Tommy was born June 8, 1945, the son of Johnny and Vicie (Williams) Wray and brother to Kathy DeFur of Carmi, IL and Joseph Edward “J.E.” Wray of Burkesville, KY, who preceded him in death. He attended the Glidewell Road School as a young boy and helped to organize a yearly reunion for the remaining teachers and pupils from this single room schoolhouse. Tommy and Elaine grew up in Burkesville, KY and married young; after time in two other states, they settled in Glasgow, KY in the late 70s. Tommy spent most of his adult years as a truck driver, eventually retiring from USF Holland in Nashville, TN at the age of 67. He grew luscious tomatoes and vegetables; he was a skilled crappie fisherman; he knew how to fix or rig up most anything; he was an incredible storyteller; and he was deeply kind and generous.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine (Bow) Wray of Glasgow, KY; two daughters, Amy Gregg (and her husband Bob Gregg) of Richmond, KY and Amanda Wray (and Andy Klapheke) of Asheville, NC; his grandchildren, Taylor Gregg, Kalee Gregg, Emma Gregg, Turner Klapheke, and Mabel Dean Klapheke; his sister, Kathy Dixon (and her husband Don) of Carmi, IL; his devoted cat, Cooper; nephews Doug Koontz of Belleville, IL (with wife Anita and children Jeremy [with wife Cara] and Andrew Koontz of Chicago, IL) and Brian Koontz (with wife Rita and children Kyle Rankin [with wife Danielle and children Kadence and Jolene] of Carmi, IL and Trevor Koontz [with wife Amanda and children Aleena, Colin, and Kylar] of Evansville, IN); a niece, who preceded him in death, Pam Perry (with children Ryan Johnson and Nathan Johnson); many cousins, and countless friends. Tommy was a member of Glenview Christian Church, and he has been the fish fry master since 1986. The family is doing a socially distanced, outdoor memorial at the farm (2044 Glidewell School Road, Burkesville, Kentucky 42717) on Sunday, August 9, 2020 from 3 – 5 pm. Please bring your own chair. In lieu of flowers, friends can donate online to Trooper Island Camp, which supports outdoor youth education on Dale Hollow Lake. http://kentuckystatepolice.org/trooper-island/
