James Bray

September 24, 1931 - August 31, 2013

James A. Bray, 81, of Vandalia, passed away at 5:48pm, Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Altamont Lutheran Care Center. Services for Mr. Bray will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Vandalia with Pastor Peter Kolb and Pastor Jerry Bagwell officiating.  Burial will follow the dinner at the church in the Dieterich Cemetery, Dieterich, IL.  A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 am, Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the church prior to the service.  Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Radio Ministry or Lutheran Care Center, Altamont, IL.  James was born September 24, 1931in Neoga, the son of Ellis E. and Thelma (Phillips) Bray.  He married Marlene Mascher August 21, 1955.  James was an electronic technician for the Federal Aviation Administration for 33 years.  He served in the US Navy from September 1949-January 1953 during the Korean War.  He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and of the Vandalia Crawford-Hale American Legion Post #95.  Mr. Bray is survived by his wife Marlene of Vandalia; sons Robert Bray and wife Vicky of Altamont, Frederick Bray and wife Ruth of Effingham, and Dennis Bray and wife Kathy of St. Peter; grandchildren JR Bray and fiancé Kiley Willison of Eugene, OR, Erin and husband Josh Moffit of San Diego, CA, Holly Bray of Effingham, Kristen and husband Jason Park of Chicago, Kyle Bray of St. Peter, and Rachel Bray of St. Peter; great grandchildren Thaddaeus Moffit and Camilla Park; sisters Neva and husband David Casstevens of Olney, IL and Louise Price of Waverly, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Henry Bray and Raymond Bray, half brothers Noel Bray, Ross Bray and Richard Bray.