James Richard Wray's Obituary
James Richard Wray, age 64, passed away in Fort Myers, Florida on March 7, 2015. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Ohio University, and furthered his career in the Washington, DC area before retiring to Fort Myers in 2006. Longtime Republican Party activist on the local and national stage, he was honored to serve as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs under President George H.W. Bush. He later founded Wray and Associates, a firm specializing in major event planning and management as well as government affairs. He organized many high profile events for political organizations as well as private companies including national conventions, inaugurations, international summits and large company meetings. In retirement he enjoyed donating time and resources to his church and community. Preceded in death by parents Louis and Ruth Wray. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Gale Townsend Wray; daughter Jennifer (James) McCann of Virginia and grandson James. He also leaves siblings Janice Wray Jacobs of Fort Worth, Texas and Jeffrey Wray of Camdenton, Missouri along with many beloved nieces and nephews from the Wray and Townsend families and their children. A celebration of life is to be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 1pm at Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church with light refreshments to follow. 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the George Bush School of Government and Public Policy at Texas A&M University. Please direct gifts to the President George H.W. Bush Endowed Fellowship Fund. Friends and family can honor Mr. Jim Wray by donating to the President George H.W. Bush Endowed Fellowship either by check or online gift. Checks should be made to the Texas A&M Foundation with “President Bush Fellowship – In memory of Jim Wray” in the memo line. They can be mailed to Jessica McCann’s attention at 4220 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843. Online gifts can be made via https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1436/gid3give/2014/index.aspx?sid=1436&gid=3&pgid=367&cid=1044. Donors should select “Direct my gift to a specific account within the Bush School” and choose the President George H.W. Bush Endowed Fellowship Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-936-0555. Online condolences may be made at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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