Dale Bray

Dale Bray, 87, passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at NHC Healthcare in Johnson City. He was born March, 11,1925 to the late Dewey Bray and Clara Wolfe Bray in the Thorn Hill Community of Hancock County, and graduated from Hancock County High School. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Army in D Company, 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion, with service in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. While serving his country, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business in 1949 and a Masters Degree in Business Education in 1977. He was a Certified Public Accountant, retired at the age of 55 from the Internal Revenue Service and at the age of 65 from Tri-Cities State Technical Institute. He was a member of Tate Spring Lodge #438 Free and Accepted Masons and VFW Post #3382 in Colonial Heights. Mr. Bray was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Johnson City. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Marie Bray, and his loving wife of 52 years, Frances Evangeline Barnes Bray. Survivors include daughters, Karen Welch and her husband Terry, Johnson City; Mary Bray, Jonesborough; son Michael Bray and wife Sompong, Yorktown, VA. Grandchildren include John Johnson, Johnson City; Jennifer Johnson, Worcester, MA; Kovit Detruska, Corona, NY; Joseph Bray, Yorktown, VA; Andrew Welch, North Pole, AK; and Joanna Cyrier, Johnson City. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, NHC Healthcare, and Caris Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Mr. Bray and his family. The family of Mr. Bray will receive friends Monday, July 16, 2012, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm Monday in the South Chapel with Rev. Allen Huff officiating. Music will be provided by Billy and Jeanne Walker and students of the ETSU Bluegrass program. Burial services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am at the Washington County Memory Gardens. The family and friends will meet at the cemetery for those services. Memorial contributions may be made to the River Ministry, 125 West Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 or to Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies, c/o ETSU Foundation, East Tennessee State University, Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614-1710. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City. (423) 282-1521