Ray, 59, died February 6, 1985, in Missoula, Montana, after undergoing emergency heart bypass surgery. He was born November 28, 1925, in Missoula. Ray enlisted in the Army December 28, 1943 and was a Sgt. in the 97th Bombardment Group. He jumped at Missoula during the 1946-47 seasons.

Ray ran for Missoula County Sheriff in 1978 with a background of being Chief of Detectives and Undersheriff. In 1969, he was selected Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. He was Missoula County Sheriff at the time of his death.