Steven Franklin Ray

Steven Franklin Ray "Pops" went home to be with the Lord on March 24th 2026 @1:40PM. He died of natural causes at Oakview Health and Rehab Center in Orange Park Florida. Steven was born to Anual and Yona Ray on December 19th 1947 in Smithers West Virginia. He loved the mountains and started hunting as a young boy. He lived in West Virginia until he went to Vietnam in 1967. He never hunted after he returned as he said he could not bear to 'kill again'. Steven was a disabled veteran, and was very proud to have served his country as part of the Special forces as a Green Beret. Steven loved playing cards and shooting pool with his dad and brother. He was a car enthusiast and never met a car he didn't like. He loved working on, buying, restoring and selling cars. He shared his love of cars with his sons Anual and Harrison and his grandsons Steve, Mark and Carl Jr. While Anual did not share his dad's passion for cars he acquired a vast knowledge of how to repair and restore cars. Ultimately Anual chose to go into a different direction. He made his dad very proud working at WWGay for 20 years before deciding to work for the city of Jacksonville as a building inspector. Harrison now earns his living as a certified mechanic, thanks greatly from what he learned working in the back yard alongside of his dad. At the time of his death his yard remained full of cars in varying stages of restoration. Steven worked for the city of Jacksonville for 23 years. He began his career in the motor pool driving a wrecker he called 'Big Red'. From the motor pool he went to the Buckman Street Sewage Plant and became a licensed sewage plant operator. When JEA combined with the water department Steven transferred to JEA. He held many positions there, the last being head of security for the high lines. Steven was an avid Florida Gators fan and shared that passion with his daughter, Beth watching any game that the Gators played. Steven is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Darlene. They met when he was 17 and she was 15. His sons, Anual Il and Harrison (Britny), his daughter Beth, whom he lovingly referred to as Betsymae (Carl Sr.) and one sister Robin Cowan. Six grandchildren, Steve, Mark (Crystal), Elizabeth (Stevie), Alexandra, AnnMarie, and Trevor. Steven is also survived by five great grandchildren, David, Ayden, Noah, Silas, Marlee and Wyatt Ray, whom he nicknamed Squirt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anual and Yona, his brother Peck, his sister Kitty, daughters Sheila Lynn, Shelly Lea and grandson Carl Ray Davis Jr.