James Ray Gildon, age 79 passed away June 11, 2007 at his residence. Services will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Columbus, MS, where he was a member, with Revs. Terry Maynard and Ron Thomas officiating. Visitation will begin at the church prior to the service on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. A quiet man with a gentle, sweet spirit, Ray will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He could often be found building and working on cars; riding his tractor through the fields; telling tall tales with a joyful chuckle; or simply enjoying time with his family and friends. Through his patience, love, and kindness, Ray touched many lives in his time, possessing a gift for making each of those around him feel truly special. Ray was born in Lamar County, AL on December 1, 1927, to the late John A. and Trudy Stokes Gildon. He was married in 1951 to Nealie Thrasher and began raising a family the following year. Ray worked as a talented mechanic for the Lowndes County Department of Transportation for 26 years, providing many a school child a safe bus ride. Ray (Daddy, Paw Paw, and Uncle Dude) leaves behind a host of loving family and friends, including his wife of 56 years, Nealie Thrasher Gildon; daughter, Pam Galloway (Jimmy); and grandchildren, Brandt Galloway, Sally Galloway Edwards (Shaun), and Betsy Galloway. He is preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Trudy Stokes Gildon, and brother, Charles Murphy Gildon. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Glen Gildon, Jerry Gildon, Mike Parker, Bobby Thrasher, Marshall Thrasher, Austin Whitten, Drew Whitten, Patton Whitten, and Chris Holifield.
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