George Allen Wray

George Allen "Louie" Wray, age 75, of Roanoke, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on July 8, 2025. He passed away peacefully at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, surrounded by members of his family.

Born on November 9, 1949, in Rocky Mount, VA, George was a man of grit, character, and unwavering integrity. In his 75 years, George embraced many roles—cherished within his family as a husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, and admired in life as a veteran, craftsman, outdoorsman, and faithful friend. To those who knew him best, he was a larger-than-life figure who lived not just boldly, but authentically.

George was a jack-of-all-trades with a keen mind and a gift for figuring things out. He enjoyed working on cars, doing electrical work, plumbing, building furniture, gardening, and much more. Throughout his life, he built and created many things with his own hands—including a picnic table for his mother, which was treasured and used for decades. He was a structured and highly organized person who found great joy in creating handmade holiday calendars each Christmas, complete with family photos and everyone's birthdays.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, George completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, then served as a missile technician at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, South Dakota. He held a security clearance and attained the rank of Sergeant during his four years of honorable service. While in the Air Force, he was known not only for his technical skills but also for his competitive spirit —doling out lessons in poker games, where he likely made more money than his military paycheck provided.

George’s career spanned a remarkable variety of paths. As a teenager, he ran a service station and worked as a radiator repairman. After the military, George counseled at-risk youth, drove for Greyhound, managed a lumber yard, mastered the art of stone masonry, and worked as a fire protection specialist for Masterguard. He also earned a degree in Electronics from New River Valley Community College.

George was happiest in the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and enjoying the freedom of wide-open spaces. In 2017, he helped organize a family and friends fishing trip. This evolved into an annual cherished tradition, full of laughter, (playful) competition, and time spent in nature—just the way George liked it.

Beyond the outdoors, George loved shooting pool with friends, a pastime he enjoyed his entire life. He was fiercely competitive and approached every game—whether it was shooting pool, hunting, fishing, archery, or anything else—with the drive to win. That competitive fire helped him achieve the title of state archery champion in South Dakota in his younger years, a testament to his skill and focus.

George was fearless, independent, and would have been right at home in the Old West. Perhaps that’s why he was such a devoted fan of westerns, especially Gunsmoke and anything with John Wayne. Of course, unlike the cowboy movies and shows he loved, when it came to being a tough guy, George wasn’t just acting.

Anyone who knew George—“Louie” to many—has at least one story that ends with a laugh, a shake of the head, or a deeper sense of respect. He had a unique sense of humor and bestowed memorable (if not always flattering) nicknames upon those he loved. He will be remembered for his honesty, loyalty, and his determined spirit, especially in the face of growing health challenges. Though not always one to speak his feelings aloud, George showed his love through action—always ready to lend a hand, offer advice, or fix whatever needed fixing.

A man of deep faith, George loved discussing scripture, was devoted to his walk with God, and proudly shared his beliefs.

George is survived by his beloved wife of over 36 years, Cathy Wray; his daughters, Jennifer Wray, Marianne Kuczynski (Mark), Kelly Wray, and Kimberly Grubb (Thomas MacDonald); his granddaughter, Kayla Porter; his mother, Mary Allman; his stepfather, David Allman; his brother, Michael Allman (Cindy); and a large extended family and many dear friends.

George was preceded in death by his father, George Boomer Wray.

A celebration of his life will be held at Flora Funeral Chapel, 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2025 with Pastor Joe Dillon officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center in Rocky Mount.

George will be cremated in accordance with his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.