of Mountain View, AR

December 8, 1945 - October 4, 2018

Michael Jon ''Mike'' Ray, 72, of Mountain View, Arkansas passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mike was born on December 8, 1945 in Culver City, California to the late Lowell and Maxine (Dolan) Ray. Mike attended North High School in Bakersfield, California and received his undergraduate degree at Westmont in Santa Barbara, California. He received a Master's Degree in Linguistics from the University of Texas Arlington and a Master's Degree in Human Resource Development at Azusa Pacific in Pasadena, California. He spent his life serving his Lord all over the world. Mike originally planned to serve as a missionary pilot, and to that end, he got his commercial pilot's and aircraft mechanics licenses. Mike and Sandi served as missionaries in Australia bringing the New Testament to the Aboriginal tribes, and then as International Consultants with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

After 27 years with WBT, the Lord led Mike and Sandi to begin a new chapter in their lives. The Broom Tree Refuge was established here in Mountain View in 2000 as a place for missionaries and pastors to come for refreshment and renewal. Bringing this dream to a reality was one of the great joys of his life. He delighted in developing the physical property, but it was an even greater joy to hear from guests how God had used TBTR to bring physical, emotional and spiritual healing to them. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and his family will miss him and his wonderful sense of humor. Mike's love for family and friends gave them a small glimpse of the type of love God has for us.

Mike always enjoyed nature and spent much of his youth camping and hiking with his family. He and his two brothers were all Eagle Scouts. Mike loved to learn new things. That love, along with his creativity allowed him to enjoy painting, woodturning, sailing, and cooking, just to name a few.

Mike is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 51 years, Sandi Ray, of Mountain View; one son, Adam Ray and wife Lanie of Mountain View, Arkansas; daughter, Amy Ray of Bakersfield, California; two brothers, Gary Ray and wife Shirley of Olympia, Washington and Steve Ray and wife Karen of Fort Collins, Colorado; five grandchildren, Hannah Swainston and husband Spencer of Bakersfield, California, Andrew Engel and wife Aerity of Logan, Utah; Caleb Engel of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Jacob Limitone of Bakersfield, California, and Michah Ray of Mountain View, Arkansas; along with many loving extended family and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Maxine (Dolan) Ray and one great-grandchild, Ashton Michael Engel.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be Saturday, October 13, 2018, 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Mountain View, Arkansas with Rev. Milt Cole and Brother Jason Ingram officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Broom Tree Refuge, 4001 Sunny Fox Road, Mountain View, Arkansas 72560 in memory of Michael ''Mike'' Ray.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.

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