Obituary of Ray Fairris

Luther Ray Dell Fairris (Ray), 73, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Fairris, son of Luther Sidney and Katie Novel (Myers) Fairris, was born April 28, 1944, in Paris, Tennessee.  He grew up in Detroit, graduated from Western High School, and was very active in his Faith attending Church of God of Prophecy Church.   After marrying, he made his home in Romulus Michigan.  As a husband and father of two, he worked full time during the day and attended night classes at Henry Ford earning his college degree in Tool & Die and began his career as a Die Sinker.  He was very active in his children's lives and volunteered for years as a Cub Scout leader.  After divorce, he moved to Missouri in the late 80's and continued his career.  It was in Missouri that he met and married Ginger.  Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, bush hogging, four-wheeling, and tinkering in the barn.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Doniphan and was a tissue donor.

Ray was married to Gay Linda Smith in 1963, and they divorced in 1984.  On July 29, 1988, he married Virginia ”Ginger” Marie (Marshall) Neblett, and she survives him. He and Ginger had a beautiful life together and were five months shy of celebrating their 30th anniversary.  

Also surviving are two children:  Rhonda Kay Fairris -Dolunt (Rick) of Allen Park, Michigan, and Kevin Ray Fairris (Mandy) of Cleveland, Tennessee; grandchildren: Brittany Pappas (Terry), Jillian Dolunt, Brooke Dolunt, Amber Dolunt, Kaiden Ray Fairris, Lily Garrett, Kennedy Garrett and Avery Garrett; great-grandchildren: Veda Martin and Gavin Martin; one nephew, Jimmy Fairris, and one niece, Andrea Flowers.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Howard Fairris.

Visitation will take place Monday evening, March 12, 2018, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.  The funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Brother Kent Wilfong officiating.  A graveside service will be Tuesday afternoon at Sugar Creek Chapel Cemetery in Big Sandy, Tennessee.