Obituary

John lakin ray, 94, of charleston, passed away on friday, august 17, 2018, at home.
He was born january 29, 1924, in charleston, son of the late of john v. And marion lakin rex. He was also preceded in death by his sister, olivia ray singleton.
John is survived by his wife of 67 years, jane hain ray; three daughters, anne ray silbernagel, elizabeth lakin cook (tom), and jane ray halpin (steve); five grandchildren, frederick lawrence silbernagel iv (lindsay), john lakin ray silbernagel (ashley), andrew riggin silbernagel (fiancee julia hurwitz), stephen robert halpin iii, and catherine elizabeth halpin (fiance eric stephens); as well as three great – grandchildren, emmarilla lane silbernagel, frederick lawrence silbernagel v, and john nicholas silbernagel.
John attended public schools in charleston through the ninth grade and prep school at st. Andrews school in middletown, delaware. Upon graduation, john was awarded the st. Andrew’s cross, given in honor of the late bishop cook of delaware, who was associated with the founding of the school, in recognition of the student whose contribution to the school has been distinguished for christian qualities of concern for others, humility, and high principle.
John served as a b-29 navigator, flying missions over japan with the u.S. Army air corps during world war ii. He graduated from the university of virginia with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering in 1949 and bachelor of laws in 1952. At the university, he was a member of alpha tau omega fraternity.
In october of 1952, john began active practice of law as an associate of payne minor and ray. He tried cases before the circuit courts of kanawha county and seven other nearby counties. He argued cases before the west virginia court of appeals and the united states circuit court of appeals for the sixth circuit. In later years, john specialized in negotiating and drafting coal leases on large tracts of land. As well, he negotiated and drafted oil and gas leases and commercial real estate leases in kanawha and putnam counties. John held an “av” rating in martindale-hubbell lawyer ratings for over 34 years, practicing at the same firm for over 60 years. At the time of his death, john was of counsel for ray, winton & kelley, pllc. From june of 1958 until 2008, john served as president of the board for kanawha valley advertising (wv outdoor). From 2008 until his death, he served as chairman of the board.
John gave generously of his time to the kanawha valley community over the years. He served on the board of trustees of the university of charleston (morris harvey college) for over 25 years. He served as a member of the board of directors of kanawha county public library for over 25 years and as president for nine years. He served as both member and chairman of the advisory board of west virginia state college for four years.
In addition, john served as member and chairman of the board of directors of numerous charitable organizations, including the ymca and the local chapter of the american red cross. He served as trustee of both the berkeley minor foundation and the bernard and blanche e. Jacobson foundation, which award grants to various community groups in the kanawha valley as well as scholarships to the university of virginia, virginia theological seminary, the university of charleston (morris harvey college), and washington & jefferson college. A founding member of the board of directors of the clay center for the arts and sciences in west virginia, john was serving as a member of the advisory board at the time of his death. He was a lifelong member and volunteer of christ church united methodist. After the fire of 1969, john served on the committee to rebuild the church and install the current stained glass windows.
He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the university of charleston in 1996, and a distinguished service award from west virginia state college in 1977 .
John was a member of the jefferson society, the lawn society and the rotunda society of the university of virginia. Along with his sister, he established the “john v. Ray” chair at the uva school of law, in honor of their father. As an alumnus, john served as a member of the board of the school of engineering at virginia.
Once a “scratch” golfer, john was an avid participant of the sport for most of his life. He was a member of edgewood country club and berry hills country club, and competed in the west virginia-virginia seniors league. He also enjoyed tennis and swimming, having taught all of his children and grandchildren the fine art of bodysurfing ocean waves in myrtle beach and on hilton head island. John loved travel, including the research and planning of trips. He took his wife and family to many wonderful places, ranging from our country’s national parks to a myriad of cities in england, scotland, and europe, through the panama canal, mexico and costa rica. In celebration of his and jane’s 50th wedding anniversary, john organized a weeklong cruise down the danube river for the entire family, including grandchildren. Many family gatherings also occurred in charlottesville, virginia, framed around football games and thanksgiving celebrations.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to kanawha hospice for their loving care of john in the past weeks. They would also like to thank george cantees and steve nelson for their care and kindness.
A funeral service will take place on wednesday, august 22, at 11 a.M. At christ church united methodist, with dr. Jay parkins and rev. David donathan, director of music, presiding. Burial will be at sunset memorial park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in john’s honor be made to the library foundation of kanawha county, the antiphonal organ project at christ church united methodist, or the west virginia symphony.
You may send condolences to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com.
Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements for the family.