Jimmy Dan Ray of Lavaca, Arkansas, died Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on May 8, 1934, in Lavaca to the late Ursery Reeves Ray and Sabra Florence (Cross) Ray. He was 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Ray; and a sister, Mary Alice Carter.

Jimmy Dan was a retired plant manager for 35 years at Okla Homer Smith Furniture Company in Fort Smith. He was a 1952 graduate of Lavaca High School and a 1959 college graduate at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, where he played college baseball for ATU. Jimmy Dan was active in the community throughout his life. He served in the U.S. Army. He served the Lavaca Public Schools as a board member and an officer. He served several years as a member and officer for the Sebastian County Farm Bureau. He served Farm Bureau at the state level with committee service. During his professional career, he enjoyed raising/breeding running quarter horses on the farm in Lavaca. His real passion was gardening. Throughout his professional career and retirement, he was committed to a large garden every year. His goal was to raise quality fruits and vegetables for local residents and businesses. During retirement he spent great amounts of time in his grandchildren's lives and had a hug impact in their lives. He loved each and every grandchild tremendously. Jimmy Dan was a member of First Baptist Church in Lavaca.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 4th at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Bro. Russ Tyler officiating. Burial will follow, with military honors, at 12:00 p.m. at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Fran (Brody) Ray; a daughter, Francene Hewett of Fayetteville; four sons, Michael Dan Ray and wife Melissa of Lavaca, Jeffery Dewayne Ray and wife Susan of Lavaca, Gregory Douglas Ray of Lavaca, and Bradford Dan Ray and wife Brooke of Russellville; nine grandchildren, Kayleigh, Cason, Curlin, Harlee, Elizabeth, Emily, Brooklyn, Brady, and Bryn; and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Mike Ray, Jeff Ray, Brad Ray, Craig Carter, John Buckley, Brad Hindley, Justin Forsgren, and Darrin Jetton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Graham, Harley Jones, Willis Ray, Jr., Claude Eubanks, Tommy White, Shercliff Lockridge, Bill Jennings, Dewayne Glidewell, Tooter Graham, Howard Carruth, Danny Cross, and J.C. Trotter.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday night at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ATU Foundation, 1509 N. Boulder Ave. Russellville, AR  72802 in loving memory of Jimmy Dan Ray.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.