Charles Douglas "Charlie" Bray

Funeral service for Charlie Bray will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Claremore. Dr. Ray Crawford will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 1pm-8pm at the MMS-Payne Funeral Home.

Charlie passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the age of 79.

Charles Douglas Bray the son of Claud and Virl Alford Bray was born July 2, 1938 in Miltonvale, Kansas. As a young boy Charlie spent his childhood in Phillipsburg, Kansas where his dad ran the local grain elevator. It was also there that he got his first job working at a local service station.

Education was an important part of Charlie's life. It all started at Phillipsburg High School, where he was active in many things, sports being his favorite. After graduating from Phillipsburg in 1956, Charlie immediately began his college career. He enrolled at Ft. Hays State University where he received his bachelors of Education in 1959. This allowed him to begin teaching school. However, he wasn't finished with college. Over the next several years Charlie continued to take classes to earn his Masters Degree.

Charlie's teaching career was spent in Kansas. He spent time at Goodland, Belle Plaine, Belleville, Ellsworth and Andale. He worked primarily as a coach and teacher, but also served as a Principal and Athletic Director. With some summers off he also took on many part time jobs. A few of his favorites were crop hail adjuster, men's clothing sales, and Insurance sales. After his retirement in 2000, Charlie moved to Claremore. He then worked the next 17 years as a Funeral Director Assistant for Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service and MMS-Payne Funeral Service.

In his spare time Charlie had many hobbies. He loved going to the movies and was an avid reader; mysteries were his favorite. When time allowed he loved to play golf. Then there was his love for traveling. Hawaii was his favorite destination and he loved whale-watching. He also volunteered for numerous organization such as the Elks, Kiwanis, Jaycees, The Lions club, and the Library board, just to name a few. He also volunteered at his church, First United Methodist Church of Claremore.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Virl Bray; brothers, Russell, Donald, Melvin, George, Dean and Claud Bray, and sister, Viola Vincent.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years Janice Bray; children, Deborah Haddock and husband Milt, Larry Bray, Brian Bray and wife Kelly, and Jennifer Knowlton; granddaughter, Jordan Bray; brother, William Bray and wife Anita; mother-in-law, Iva Saathoff and numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to the Charlie Bray memorial scholarship fund. It will be for Goodland High School students that plan to study education and coaching. Donations may be sent to Bank West c/o Cara Daise 924 Main St. Goodland, KS 67735.

View and sign Charlie's online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com < http://www.mmsfuneralhomes.com >