James Ray

James Scott Ray entered into eternal life on December 29, 2009. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Chester Ray and Myrtle Scott. Jim attended high school in Sherman, Texas. He was known as a "math whiz" and also excelled as the quarterback for his high school football team.

Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served with the 4th Marine Division. He served in the Pacific during WWII and was an Iwo Jima survivor. As a result of assisting fellow wounded soldiers, as well as his own injuries, Jim received "The Purple Heart".

After the war, Jim attended The University of Arizona where he met his first wife, Mika Donovan. They resided in San Francisco for 10 years before moving to Denver. Jim owned his own insurance agency prior to moving to Denver. Mika and Jim were married 30 years before she preceded him in death in 1985.

After moving to Denver, Jim joined the Frank B. Hall insurance brokerage house. He became president and later chairman of the Board, retiring in 1987 after over 20 years of service.

Jim served as a Board member of The Lakewood Country Club where he was an avid golf enthusiast. Jim also loved to snow ski, taking many family members on these adventures.

Jim married Virginia Hartman in 1988. They shared 21 years together loving to travel to such places as Hawaii, Mexico, California, Alaska, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and owned a home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a time.

Jim is survived by his wife, Virginia, Nieces, Robin Lau (Jacksonville, Florida) and Karen Green (Oshkosh, Wisconsin), Nephew, David Knapp (Los Angeles, California) and numerous loving In-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Glenice Marrow.