The Reverend John L. Bray, 93, of Lawrenceburg, widower of Helen Vice Bray, died December 20, 2018 at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. He was a retired minister of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, having served in churches in Kentucky, Ohio, New Mexico, Missouri and Illinois and several interim ministries since his Ordination in 1954 in Zainesville, Ohio. Born December 10, 1925 in Columbus, OH to the late Lester J. and Alice Jones Bray, Mr. Bray attended public schools in Zainesville, graduating in 1943.
After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he graduated from Transylvania University and the Lexington Theological Seminary, in Lexington, Kentucky. While a student, he served as pastor of the East Union Church in Nicholas County and the Botland Christian Church in Nelson County. In 1953, he met his future wife, Helen V. Felty, a member of the East Union Church.
They were married on January 1, 1954. They have three daughters, Bobbi (John) Cox, Marietta, GA, Susan B. Hyatt, Frankfort, KY and Margaret B. Burger, of Sullivan, IL; three grandchildren, April Hyatt, Adam (Kari) Hyatt, both of Frankfort and John Cardwell, Georgia; and three great-grandchildren, Lillian Greenwell, James Hyatt and Bekah Hyatt. Mr. Bray served as a pastor of the First Christian Church, Tiffin, Ohio and Community Church, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
He was a Minister of Christian Education of the Monte Vista Christian Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was Pastor at First Christian Church, Marceline, Missouri, Watson Terrace Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Cynthiana Christian Church, Cynthiana, Kentucky, and Prairie Avenue Christian Church, Decatur, Illinois. He also served at First Christian Church, Waukegan, Illinois as Interim Minister before retiring in 1988.
Since retirement, he has served as interim minister in Pikeville, Bardstown, and East Union, Kentucky and in Belvedere, South Carolina. He also preached for several other churches in Kentucky. In the various states and regions where he served, he was active in local, regional, and general manifestations of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
In New Mexico and Missouri, he served on the State or Regional Board. He chaired the New Mexico Department of Christian Education of the Church. In Missouri, he chaired the Outreach Department of the Church.
He was organizing Chairman of the Credentials Committee of the Christian Church in Missouri when the Disciples instituted the Delegate Assembly. When the Christian Church held its first general assembly, he was asked to serve on the Credentials Committee and did so during four assemblies. He was chair of the committee for two assemblies.
In New Mexico and Missouri, he directed Chi Rho Camps for many years. He was in camps and conferences in Ohio, New Mexico, and Kentucky. Active in community affairs, he has been a member and an officer of local Ministerial Associations and Councils of Churches.
He has been a Rotarian, and a Mason, a sponsor of Boy Scouts, and served on YM/YWCA, United Fund and Red Cross boards. He served a three-year term as Alderman in Marceline, Missouri. For many years, he has had an interest in programs for the aging.
In Cynthiana, he was President of the Harrison County Commission on Aging and a member of the Bluegrass Council on Aging. A Senior Citizens Center was opened by the Commission under his leadership. He is listed in Life in the Bluegrass and Who’s Who in Religion.
When they retired, the Bray’s moved to Lawrenceburg, KY to be near their daughter, and her children, and their great-grandchildren and a day’s drive from their other daughters and their families in Illinois and Georgia. Funeral services for Mr. Bray will be Sunday, December 23, 2018 at First Christian Church at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Wheeler officiating.
Burial will follow in Lawrenceburg Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church Memorial Funds, 300 S. Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342.
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