Dallas Bryan Ray

After a life fully lived for 90 years, Dallas Bryan Ray passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026, with his daughter, Robbin Denise, and niece, Nancy (“Nic Nic”), at his bedside on behalf of all who loved him.

Our hearts ache with his loss, yet we rejoice that his own heart is now healed as he is reunited forever with his beloved wife, Jean, who predeceased him. Jean will have completed heaven’s angel school by now and welcomed Bryan to everlasting peace. Their 67-year love story began with a moment in downtown Hillsborough. Bryan and Kenneth Thompson were getting their shoes shined when Jean and others walked by. Bryan spoke to the group, and Jean was the only one who spoke back. Turning to Kenneth, Bryan declared, “I’m gonna marry her.” He did, with their lifelong friends David and Carolyn Wagner as witnesses.

Born October 27, 1936, Bryan was a Hillsborough native and graduated from Hillsborough High School. Resourceful at a young age, he made a quick buck boxing with the local boys. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves, laying the foundation for a strong work ethic and life of service. Over the years, he worked at Long Meadow milk delivery, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, Carr's Supermarket as a meat cutter, and IBM, retiring in 1998.

A servant of the people, Bryan continued to help those in need long after his retirement. He was a dedicated member of the Exchange Club, providing support during many fish fries and other events, and frequently provided transportation to appointments for people without other means.

His acts of service naturally extended to those closest to his heart. Bryan visited his mother daily, driving her to town to pay her bills in person and to the grocery stores, because Mama Ray insisted that milk was ten cents cheaper on the other side of town. He drove Jean to visit her ailing mother every day of the week and, while waiting patiently, read the entire Bible twice. He and his dear friend and neighbor, Mr. Billy, spent countless hours doing home repairs for family and friends, free of charge.

Jean was the heart of our family; Bryan, the strength. Wise in his counsel but measured in his speech – unless you asked the same question multiple times! – Bryan was a mentor to many, a dad, a big brother, and a friend, but he never lost the spark of the mischievous young man he once was. He recounted tales of his youth, like the time he and his friends smeared used fish-fry oil on the police department windowsills to release a staggering stench into the building, or when he and his buddies threw a barrel of water through the window of Dual Supply during the Saturday night poker game, chuckling as he recently remembered, “water went everywhere and so did they.” We will miss that twinkle in his eye as he made clever comments and jokes.

Those left to treasure his memory include his cherished daughter, Robbin Denise Ray-Eiland and husband, Dave; brother-in-law, Kent Batton; grandchildren, Shey Eiland-Scott and husband Andrew, and Dylan Eiland; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Andrew, Jacob, and Lucas; many cousins, nephews, nieces, and a community of lifelong friends. Bryan is preceded in death by his parents, Dallas Ray and Maggie Roosevelt Baldwin Ray.

On Thursday, November 5, First Love Community Church, Hillsborough, will host a visitation from 11a.m.-12p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 12p.m. After the service, Bryan will be laid to rest at Phillips Chapel, 2362 Brucewood Road, Haw River.