Austin M. "ARay" Ray's Obituary
Mt. Zion – Austin M. “ARay” Ray, 20, of Mt. Zion, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Austin was born in St. Augustine, FL, on March 28, 1996, the son of Kevin S. Ray and Valerie C. (Bowers) Bennett. He was a 2014 graduate of Mt. Zion High School and currently a student at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. While at Mt. Zion Austin excelled at football and track and was well known as a running back on the football team. Austin holds many rushing records at Mt. Zion and was selected as 1st team All State in 2012 and 2nd team All State in 2013. Austin’s #36 jersey was retired at Mt. Zion High School in 2016. In college, Austin excelled in football and was selected as Special Teams Player of The Year in his freshman year. Austin loved fishing, boating, four wheeling and golfing.
Surviving are his parents: Kevin (Carrie) Ray of Mt. Zion and Valerie (Mike Stoutenborough) Bennett of Decatur; his siblings: Brandee Carver of Mt. Zion, Bryan Carver of Decatur, Skylar Bennett of Mt. Zion and Colton Ray of Mt. Zion; grandparents: Michael & Sandra Ray of Forsyth, Allen Parnell of Warrensburg, Joan & George Fierthaler of NY and Everett & Maureen Bowers of FL; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, teammates and many-many friends.
Austin was preceded in death by his grandmother, Patricia Parnell and uncle, Billy Bowers.
A community celebration of Austin’s life will be held at the Mt. Zion High School Gymnasium on Sunday, March 19 at 1:00 pm with a visitation following on the football field. Please wear red and white spirit wear to celebrate Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the ARay 36 Foundation. The ARay 36 Foundation is in the process of being developed. Please Make checks payable to Kevin and Carrie Ray and write ARay 36 Foundation on the memo line. Memorials can be mailed to PO Box 155, Mt. Zion, IL 62549.
The family of Austin Ray is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL, 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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