John Wesley Ray

John Wesley Ray, 81, of Huntington, WV passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 5:00pm at the Reger Funeral Chapel by Rev. Jacque Compton. John was born on October 1, 1939 in Huntington, WV the son of the late Leslie and Eloise Pennington Ray. He was a retired employee of Owens Illinois Glass and a drug addiction counselor at the Prestera Center.  John is survived by his spouse Mark Phillips; children Steven Leslie Ray, John Bruce Ray and Matthew Ernest Ray, Vickie Ann Ray and Marsha Lynn Adkins. Seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  John retired from Owens Illinois Glass when the plant closed and went to Marshall University and received his degree in counseling. He worked for Prestera Center as a counselor. Attended Central Christian Church.  He enjoyed visiting the Amish Country and traveling the back roads of Amish country watching their life. He was an avid political column writer to the Herald Dispatch, an aspiring Appalachian writer and was in the PBS series “A Handful of Ashes” filmed at Marshall University in the 70’s.  Friends may call from 4-5 pm Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the Reger Funeral Home, Huntington, WV.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com.