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Welcome to the memorial page for
Thomas Doyle 'Tom' Ray
January 10, 1970 ~ October 23, 2016 (age 46) 46 Years Old Light a Candle
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A candle was lit by Toni Rubero
on October 27, 2016 7:16 PM
A candle was lit by alicia wriston
on October 27, 2016 2:10 PM
A candle was lit by karen kennedy
on October 27, 2016 1:57 PM
Message from karen
October 27, 2016 1:56 PM
There are no words to describe Tom... he will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. My thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow.
A candle was lit by Angela Granger
on October 27, 2016 10:28 AM
Message from Brenda Duke
October 25, 2016 8:35 PM
Sorry For the loss of Tom,prayers of comfort for all.God Bless
A candle was lit by Brenda Duke
on October 25, 2016 8:33 PM
Message from Kirk Rice
October 25, 2016 3:03 PM
On behalf of the Groves Police Department, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Ray family and officers of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. I know that Tom will be sorely missed, not only for his knowledge and abilities, but also for his compassion, bravery, and devotion. I know that officers who worked with Tom held him in high regard and very much enjoyed working next to him. Tom could always be counted on to defend the weak against the strong and to fight for what was right. He believed good should prevail over evil and he worked to make it so. Everyone just felt better knowing Tom was around. Seldom in life do we meet someone who has such a lasting impact on shaping others behavior, professionalism and ethics. Tom Ray was such an individual, who will be remembered and honored by all who had ever met or worked with him. I had the great honor of knowing Tom. Always there to help, Tom was an excellent example of a Law Enforcement Officer and friend. The loss of such a good man who was a productive and valuable member of his community is felt keenly by all but is a loss suffered by all of us who wish for a better future.
What are policeman made of?
A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. What that really means is that they are exceptional, they are unusual, they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is, less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. And that is a better average than you would find among clergymen! What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse to his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won. But…If the policeman is neat, he is conceited; If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt; If he’s not, he’s a grouch. He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer. But…if he hurries, he’s careless; if he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident, infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp.
The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him…he’s a coward. If he hits you…he’s a bully. The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But…if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he is a dunce. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache, to build a case against some felon who will get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.
I have been where you fear to be, I have seen what you fear to see, I have done what you fear to do - All these things I have done for you.
God Bless,
Kirk Rice
Chief Deputy
GROVES PD
What are policeman made of?
A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. What that really means is that they are exceptional, they are unusual, they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is, less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. And that is a better average than you would find among clergymen! What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse to his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won. But…If the policeman is neat, he is conceited; If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt; If he’s not, he’s a grouch. He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer. But…if he hurries, he’s careless; if he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident, infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp.
The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him…he’s a coward. If he hits you…he’s a bully. The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But…if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he is a dunce. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache, to build a case against some felon who will get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.
I have been where you fear to be, I have seen what you fear to see, I have done what you fear to do - All these things I have done for you.
God Bless,
Kirk Rice
Chief Deputy
GROVES PD
A candle was lit by Christie Romero & Family
on October 25, 2016 1:43 PM
Message from Theresa & Scott Wrangham
October 25, 2016 11:50 AM
Mariah and Family, we were so saddened to hear of your sudden loss and words fall short at times like these. You are in our thoughts and prayers. There was a poem that a friend gave to me when my (Theresa's) birth dad passed that was comforting to me. I would like to pass it on to you in hopes that it brings you comfort; it is by Mary Frye (1932).
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star-shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star-shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.
A candle was lit by Scott & Theresa Wrangham
on October 25, 2016 11:37 AM
Message from melissa
October 25, 2016 7:42 AM
TO THE RAY FAMILY, I KNOW YOUR ARE GRIEVING RIGHT NOW BUT I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER TWO THINGS TOM LOVED YALL VERY MUCH AND HE WILL STILL BE WATCHING OVER YALL AS THE YEARS GO BY. TRY TO HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH KNOWING SUCH A GREAT MAN. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU💐
A candle was lit by MELISSA KIRKSEY
on October 25, 2016 12:45 AM
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