Thomas R. Bray, 74, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Jane, son Greg Bray and wife Nichole of Bentonville, AR, son David and wife Michelle of Rogers, AR, grandchildren Adam Bray of Gardner, KS and his fiancée Ashtyn Snyder of Kansas City, MO, Zach Bray of Fayetteville, AR, Ryan Bray of Tulsa, OK, and Kayla Bray of Bentonville, AR, sisters Jane Sherrow and husband Larry of Sparta, MO, and Alice Samuel and husband Steve of Ava, MO, nephews Mark Sherrow of Springfield, MO, Tim Sherrow of Sparta, MO, and Matt Sherrow, wife Shannon, and great nephews Eli and Lincoln, of Springfield, MO. He is also survived by his aunts, Mary Harris of Ozark, MO, Phyllis Simpson of Nixa, MO, Helen Atchison of Stockton, MO, Inis Mitchem of Raymore, MO, Wilda Baxter of Ozark, MO, and Barbara Bray of Ozark, MO, uncle John Henry Simpson and wife Kay of Searcy, AR, and many other cousins and friends.

Tom was born on July 1, 1942 to Nancy and Dwayne Bray. Tom grew up on the family farm in Sparta, MO. He would describe his childhood as carefree and filled with family. He spent his time exploring Finley River where he developed his love of fishing which turned into a lifelong hobby. Sundays were spent at church followed by large family dinners at his grandparents. He talked about those times all of his life.

Tom attended SMS and graduated from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, IL. He worked at Royal Typewriter and worked in management in manufacturing in Springfield, MO, Bolivar, MO, and Hickory, NC. He also helped design and build another manufacturing plant in Banning, CA. His last job was managing properties for a company called The Good Crew. He retired in 2012.

Tom accepted Christ as his savior in August 1968 at the Center Point Church of Christ in Rogersville, MO. He attended Ridgecrest Baptist Church the last 20 years and was privileged to be a part of the New Generation Faith Family. Tom trusted God in his life and in his illness.

For his family and those who knew him, Tom will live in our hearts forever. He will be remembered for his dry wit, for everything he taught us and for all the love he gave us.

He is preceded in death by his parents and very close friend Bill McGehee.

The family would like to thank Stephanie with Mercy Hospice for the care she provided to the family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the time of service. Tom's final resting place will be in Linden Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fair Haven Children's Home, 3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford, MO, 65757