Brian Le
Wray
December 01, 1969 March 5, 2019
Memorial Service
Location
Affinity Funeral Service
Date
Mon, March 11, 2019
Time
3 : 00 PM – 5 : 00 PM
Obituary message
On Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, Brian Lee Wray passed away unexpectedly in Midlothian, VA due to complications of diabetes.
Brian was born on December 1, 1969 in Wailuku, HI. He was adopted at 11 months old and loved dearly by his parents Curtis Lee Wray and Clara Jean Wray (Mauldin). Soon after, his father was transferred and stationed in Texas, where he grew up and spent his teen years. He graduated from Rockingham County High School in 1988 and enlisted in the United States Army.
Brian proudly served his country as a Field Artillery Surveyor for 10 years in the XVIII Airborne Corps, 1/319th Regiment, including time spent in Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. He became a jumpmaster with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and never lost his love for being airborne.
While stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, Brian met and married first wife Nisa Shelton, and they welcomed their daughter Brittany in 1991. He was a loving and supportive father to his “Kiddo”.
As a civilian, he had a career in IT and became a Database Administrator. He was married to his second wife Lisa Melvin for 8 years, and helped raise her sons Jacob and Logan. After growing up in Texas, Brian remained a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. When he wasn’t skydiving, he enjoyed relaxing with a good cigar and a cold beer. Brian was an ordained Dudeist Priest and active member of The Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo Cigar Smokers.
Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Jean. He is survived by his daughter, Brittany Wray Ambers; step-mother Joyce Wray; siblings Amy Wray Holman, Robert Crowder, and Richard Crowder; two cats Annya and SoJu; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A memorial gathering to celebrate Brian’s life will be held at Affinity Funeral Service in Richmond, VA on Monday, March 11th from 3 to 5 PM. For anyone unable to attend, please smoke a cigar, sip a cold beer, root for the Cowboys, or raise an American flag in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Cigars for Warriors or Richmond Animal League.
Brian was such a quiet and gentle person. He was way too young to leave us. May his soul rest in peace and Brittany find comfort in knowing that many people share her sorrow.
On to Eternal Pastures my dear friend and fellow Buffalo…you will be missed by many my Brother in Arms Brian Wray… Godspeed!
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” – President Harry S. Truman
Rest In Peace My Brother!
We will miss you my friend!
Brian I will miss you my brother! SF
My heartfelt condolences to Brian’s family. I will miss our conversations about the military and football and the occasional chance to have a draft and cigar. Fair Winds and Following Seas brother! SF
So sorry to hear. We will keep your family in our prayers. I worked with Brian early on at Snagajob and he was such a great guy to work with. So friendly and helpful. Snagajob does ‘shout outs’ when employees do amazing work and I looked back and found one for Brian and wanted to post it here. It was in response to a project he and I worked on…
“Special shout out Brian Wray for being 212 with the Captain D’s account. Brian has been busting his hump getting a file “just right” for Captain D’s and is on a pursuit of perfection that the client recognized last night and was very grateful for. In the spirit of the post-Thanksgiving holiday, I’m thankful for having [Brian] on our side to help improve the client experience. Kudos to [you]”
So sad to hear of Brian’s passing. I worked with Brian at SnagAJob. He was the most helpful and amazing guy ! My prayers are with his family.
You will be missed but never forgotten.. 2 riser slip into the wind… Airborne… All okay jumpmaster
Brother and fellow Cowboys fanatic Brian. Spent two decades in my FFL and lots of great memories. Good dude. Brittany, if you need anything let me know! We will be having a tribute and renaming our travelling FFL trophy in his honor.
My man…I will miss you terribly…
I miss you so much BeeWray. So damn much.
You’re my person. Amy