Kevin D. Ray

Kevin D. Ray was born on February 17, 1949, in South Bend Indiana to Eugene V. and Carolyn (Smith) Ray.

Kevin married Linda M Reynolds on August 17, 1969, in Shelbyville, Illinois.

Kevin graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1968. He attended Lincoln Christian College and University where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Church History. 

Kevin’s ministry began at First Christian Church in Shelbyville in 1978 where he served as the Youth Minister. He served as Senior Minister at the Forest City Community Church from 1981-1984. Kevin then served the Lovington Christian Church from 1984-2003. In August 2003, Kevin began his final ministry at First Christian Church in Shelbyville as the Senior Minister. Upon his retirement in 2022, the church named him Minister Emeritus.

Kevin enjoyed being actively involved in his community. He served on several boards, and was President of the Lovington Library Board, East Central Area Agency on Aging and the Shelbyville Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship. Kevin was a U.S. Navy veteran, where he served as a stateside communications technician during the Vietnam War.

In 1985 Kevin and Linda were two of the four founders of Disciple Renewal/Disciple Heritage Fellowship. The organization will celebrate its 40th year of ministry where it has churches across the nation and ministries in other countries.

Kevin was a loyal fan of his teams, the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame. During the visitation, some of the family will be wearing those shirts to honor Kevin’s love of his favorite teams. If you would like to do so, you can do the same.

On January 16, 2025, with his family by his side, Kevin went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He leaves behind his wife, Linda, of 55 years; children, Joshua (Aimee) Ray of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Sarah (Adam) Woolridge of Decatur; four grandchildren, Hannah (Hector) Cuevas, Benjamin (Cassidy) Woolridge, Leif and Savannah Ray; one great-grandson, Elijah Woolridge and a great-granddaughter to be born in July, Eliana Joy; brother Michael of Virginia; nieces and nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Margaret Ray, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Ray.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in the First Christian Church of Shelbyville, with Rev. Tina Miller, Dr. Wayne Kent and Dr. Rick Grace officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with flag presentation by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials in Kevin’s honor may be made to the First Christian Church of Shelbyville or Disciple Heritage Fellowship, c/o First Christian Church, 3350 N MacArthur Rd, Decatur IL 62526.