Desmond Carlisle Wray, Jr.

DESMOND C. WRAY JR.STAUNTON, VA…        Desmond Carlisle Wray, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully with family by his side, in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, February 14, 2016.  He was born in Suffolk, Virginia, on November 5, 1929, the eldest son of Desmond C. and Catharine Rhodes Wray.  His parents predeceased him as did his two younger brothers, William A. Wray and Rhodes (Dick) Wray.  Mr. Wray is survived by his wife, Frances, of Staunton, sons Desmond C. Wray, III (Tripp) and wife Teresa, of N. Chesterfield, Virginia; Tod Kennedy Wray and wife Karen, of Kent’s Store, Virginia; step-daughters Mary S. Judd and husband Alan of Marietta, GA; and Ann S. Yoder of Newport News, Virginia, sisters-in-law Shirley H. Wray, Joan D. Wray, and Dorothy A. Schembri, brother-in-law David C. Schembri and wife Jackie, and his former wife, Martha Marcus Wray.  He is also survived by his grandsons, Jordan David Yoder, Patrick Kennedy Wray, Andrew Graham Judd, Samuel Carlisle Judd, and Coleman Carlisle Wray, and numerous nieces and nephews.     Mr. Wray graduated from R.E. Lee High School in 1947.  After attending the Virginia Military Institute for one year, he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.  He graduated from the Academy in 1952 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.     After serving two years as a ground officer, Mr. Wray was sent to flight school and completed his training as a Marine Aviator.  He was designated a qualified Carrier pilot on July 10, 1955.  During his active duty with the Marine Corps, Mr. Wray was assigned to the gunnery unit in Pensacola, Florida, as a flight instructor.     After resigning his regular commission in 1958, Mr. Wray attended and graduated from the Law School of the University of Virginia, in 1961.  While there, he was twice elected President of the Law School.  He served on the Honor Committee for the University and was honored to be elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, a national honorary leadership fraternity.     While practicing law with his brother Bill in Staunton, he served in several civic capacities, including Chairman of the Shenandoah Regional Airport Commission, the City of Staunton Planning Commission, and a member of the Dupont Scholarship Committee for the University of Virginia.     Mr. Wray served ten years as Judge of the Augusta County Court and twenty years as City Attorney for the City of Staunton.     After resigning his regular commission in the Marine Corps, Mr. Wray continued to serve as an officer in the Marine Reserve, primarily flying with Marine Attach Squadron 233, based in Norfolk, Virginia.  During his Marine Corps career, then Lt. Wray commanded Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment, stationed in Korea.  Later, as a Lt. Colonel, Wray served as Commanding Officer of VMA-233.  Mr. Wray completed his military duties as Commanding Officer of the 20th Staff Group, the only Marine Reserve unit then working under the operational control of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.  Mr. Wray retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of full Colonel.     A visitation will be held at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton on Friday, February 19, from 6-8 p.m.  On Saturday, February 20, following a private graveside service, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Augusta Regional SPCA, 33 Archer Lane, Staunton, VA 24401, or to the Fleming Fund for Junior Girls, 2400 Dovercourt Dr., Midlothian, VA 23113.