James Emmitt Ray

December 24, 1969 – August 6, 2026

Born on Corpus Christi, Texas’ Naval base, on Christmas Eve 1969, James was the child of boomer children Edgar Roland Ray (B.1949-D.2009) and Shannon Raylene (Rounsavill-Keisling) Ray. His early years were marked by the military family lifestyle in Corpus Christi and San Diego California. He was joined by sibling Gwynevier Afton in 1971.

When he arrived in Oregon he lived in Creswell, Oregon and attended preschool at Lane Community College, then the family moved to nearby Cottage Grove. Most of his elementary school years were at Scotts Valley Elementary outside of Yoncalla, Oregon, where the family welcomed 3 more siblings; Alisa Nell in 1980, Rachael Aubre in 1982, and Meagan Jane, born in Grants Pass Oregon in 1985. He went on to live briefly in Glendale, Oregon, then Lewiston Idaho and finally Sheridan Oregon for High School.

James then moved to the Springfield/Eugene area and lived there for over 27 years as an adult. He worked primarily in the industrial fields for Gunderson Rail, Patridis Industrial and Casey Industrial. James was known to lend his vast intellectual and creative skills to many endeavors; he was a genius at computer component hardware ‘Frankenstein’ creations that actually worked. He could fix anything mechanical, including his wheelchair and the motorized version that went too fast. It sported painted flames on the sides. James was also an avid reader, his speed reading was legendary as he assimilated all sorts of books rapidly, favoring Science Fiction and Fantasy. Gaming was his window to the world, he is known as Valden Tharbosen in that realm.

James is survived by his 6 children, a step daughter and 4 grandchildren; Amber Cornelius (Brad) of Spokane, Washington, (mother Nicole Boyer) Michael Edgar Ray and Devean Ray of Springfield Oregon. (Mother Shelly Ray). With longtime partner Heidi Reene Howell, he raised 3 sons and a step daughter; Darian Ray-Howell, Logan James Lee Ray and Kayden Maximillian Ray and Jaimie Alexandra Howell. There are 3 grandchildren Keenan James, Kevin Matthew, and Evangeline Reign (parents Amber/Brad), and step grandson Alexander Bae Howell, whose mother is Jaimie Howell.

Family members also surviving are his 4 sibling sisters living in Salem and Sheridan Oregon, their collective 8 children and step children, his mother Shannon, and step father Gary Buck of Sheridan, Oregon. Numerous Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, Friends, soul brothers and soul sisters will gather at a Celebration of Life in Eugene on November 7th, 2026 at Washington Park Community Center in the evening.