John Lee Wray, AL4U (SK) 1953 - 2016

John Wray, AL4U, was a very active, very valuable member of South County ARES.

He joined SCARES in February 1992; he actively promoted amateur radio, served as comm boss and Net Control for various events and initiated South County ARES as the communication group serving The Relay. He moved out of the area many years ago but stayed in touch with a few SCARES members. His obituary follows.

Obituary of John Lee Wray

John Lee Wray, 62, lost his battle with cancer on January 7, 2016.

The Georgetown, Texas, resident died at home, with his wife and family at his side.

John was born January 11, 1953, in Laredo, Texas, to Joyce Bennett Lee Wray and Roscoe James Wray Jr. He spent his early years in Wheeling, Ill. After high school, John joined the U.S. Navy and served six years as an Electronics Technician maintaining electronic and cryptographic systems.

Following his military service, John utilized his electronics proficiency by pursuing an engineering career that included designing, operating, maintaining and securing communications networks for mission critical applications in military, financial, enterprise and service provider networks in the U.S. and England, including in the Silicon Valley, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Texas, Alaska and London.

A self-proclaimed "collector of hobbies", John enjoyed many interests, including amateur radio, woodworking, hunting, fishing, photography, precision shooting and, as a young man, motorcycle racing. His greatest joy was providing service to others and giving back to his community. He was a former Communication Specialist, Urban Search & Rescue – California Task Force 3; former District Emergency Coordinator, ARES, San Mateo County Calif.; Volunteer Firefighter/Rescue/ EMT, Allenspark Fire Protection District, Colo.; EMT IV Therapy, Estes Park, Colo.; and a two-term President of the Allenspark Area Club, Allenspark, Colo. Locally, he was a member of the Austin Woods and Waters Club and worked with Patriot Warrior Foundation events. Most important, he was a friend to all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife, Margaret; mother, Joyce Wray of Atlanta, Ga.; brother, Philip Wray (Valerie) of Island Lake, Ill.; sister, Eileen Haddigan (Bernie) of Atlanta, Ga.; and four nieces and nephews, Kelly Chou, Blaine Haddigan, Ryan Wray, and Brittany Wray.

A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held on Saturday, January 23, at 2 p.m. at his home. A family service will be held at a later date at his interment at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, Va.