08/07/2026
C. Ray McCully
C. Ray McCully, 89, of Hanson, Ky, passed away peacefully in his sleep August 6, 2026. He was born on June 20, 1937 in Webster County, KY. He is predeceased by his parents Cletus and Evelyn McCully and brother Gerald McCully. Living their first few years in Evansville, he and his brother Gerald would walk the few blocks to Bosse Field, and fight for foul balls so they could play catch. As a boy, they moved to the family farm in Ortiz, where Ray enjoyed riding horses, running around with his friends, and developed a lifelong distaste for chicken and fish. He was a 1955 graduate of Dixon High School. Among his many accomplishments at Dixon, he was a member of the 1954 Dixon basketball team that went to the Sweet 16, and more importantly, he met the love of his life Shirley, who would partner with him in his shenanigans for 69 wonderful years. For example, in 1958, Ray drove Gerald and three buddies to the Marine Recruiting Office in Owensboro. The plan - to drop them off and return home. Shirley was rather surprised when the car returned, but no Ray. He had joined the USMC. This began a journey to Waukegan, IL, San Diego, CA, and finally to Albany, GA. In Albany, Ray joined the Marine basketball team. He was the point guard on a squad that had a record of 46-4. His play caught the eye of Valdosta State coach Gary Colson, and in 1962, Ray became a 25-year-old freshman at VSC. His teammates gave him the nickname “The General”, which they still call him to this day. Ray was a four-year starter for the VSC Rebels and was a key part of three conference championships. His Rebel teammates would remain his lifelong friends. He was enshrined in the Valdosta State Hall of Fame in 2002. After graduation, Ray and his family moved to Stone Mountain, GA. Ray worked in the insurance industry and attended law school in the evenings, graduating from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1973. He also coached youth baseball and basketball, on which his son Mickey played. Ray and Shirley returned to Valdosta after retirement. Ray was a major supporter of the University, becoming a member of the Board of Regents and the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Together, they hosted an annual crab boil for the basketball team and traveled around the country to support VSU teams. Ray, his teammates, and their families often got together for various events, most notably an annual fishing trip to the St. John’s River in Florida. You could always be sure that the stories outnumbered the catch. In recent years, Ray and Shirley moved back to Kentucky to be closer to Mickey and Sheila. He spent the last few years enjoying his time with family and puttering around in his shed. Ray held a firm belief that Shoe Goo could fix just about anything, and if that failed, then dessert was the next best option. The only thing that was larger than Ray’s sweet tooth was his heart. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, friendship, and love. He will be greatly missed. Ray is survived by his wife Shirley, son and daughter in law Mickey and Sheila McCully, sister Tonya Barnard, cousins Keith and Sherri Switzer, a niece, and several nephews. Services to be held on Saturday, August 15 at Townsend’s Funeral Home in Dixon, KY. Family at 10:00 AM, with visitation to begin at 10:30 AM and service at 12:30 PM. Rev. Keith Switzer will officiate the service with entombment to follow at Springdale Cemetery in Sebree, KY. Hopkins County Honor Guard will perform services at the cemetery. In keeping with Ray’s spirit of generosity, those who wish to express sympathy can consider a donation to either the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation or the Valdosta State University Foundation. Online condolences can be made at www.townsendfuneralhomeinc.com
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