IN MEMORIAM: O’Dell Ray, 88; School
Official Retired To Otsego Lake Home
COOPERSTOWN – O’Dell Ray, 88, of Cooperstown, retired business administrator at public schools in the region, passed away peacefully on Monday May 28, 2018 at Cooperstown Center.
O’Dell was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., on June 16, 1929, the son of the late Jacob and Flossie Story Ray.
O’Dell was a graduate of Paul Smith’s College Class of 1950, and spent over 42 years as a business administrator, first with the Norwich City Schools, followed by Waterville Central School, where he met the love of his life Dolores. He retired from the New York Mills Union Free School District on June 30, 1992.
O’Dell married Dolores on Nov. 19, 1966, in St. Bernard Catholic Church in Waterville. They also attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Edmeston, and St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Richfield Springs. O’Dell was proud of the stained glass windows in St. Joseph the Worker Sanctuary, as they were restored in loving memory of Dolores.
In their later years, O’Dell, and Dolores purchased a summer home on Otsego Lake, and loved the time spent with their family there.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Dolores, his son Bradley Nichols, three sisters, and four brothers.
He is survived by his daughter Christine (Jack) Stanton of Edmeston, son Scott (Patricia) Ray of Texas, son Roger (Linda) Nichols of Waterville, grandchildren Jennifer Neff, Diane Marceau, Daniel Nichols, Cassandra Treen, Kellee Luley, Craig Stanton, Alec Stanton, and Stephanie Ray. Also surviving are great grandchildren Paige and Jacob Nichols, Ali and Matt Marceau, Jadeyn Nichols, Colton Treen, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday June 4, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Main St. Morris, with the Rev. David W. Mickiewicz, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Edmeston Union Cemetery, Edmeston. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dolores Ray Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Waterville Central School District, 381 Madison St., Waterville NY 13480 in loving memory of O’Dell.
To send condolences visit www.Delkerterryfuneralhome.com or Facebook Delker and Terry Funeral Home.