A.C. Jr., Ray

Ray, Jr., A.C., 81, retired President of H. B. Hughes Co., passed away Sunday, October 25, 2009. Service 2:00 P.M., Thursday, October 29, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. A.C. was born October 27, 1927 in Wichita to Alton C. and Helen Lucille (Staggs) Ray. He graduated from Wichita East in 1946 and attended Wichita State and Kansas University. A.C. was a member of the Men of Webster and Delta Upsilon Fraternities. He traveled on the road selling Sporting Goods to schools for Wichita Sporting Goods, 1954-1962 and also for Snowden-Mize, 1962-1963. A.C. went to work in 1964 for the H. B. Hughes Co., Inc. of Dallas, TX, as a Manufacturers Representative, selling sporting goods in the 7 southwestern states 1964-1985. He was President of the H.B. Hughes Co as well as President of Hughes Co./Adidas, 1975-1985, retiring in 1985. A.C. was also President of the Sporting Goods Agents Association, 1982-1985 and was on the Board of Directors of the Athletic Institute, 1982-1985. He traveled to Europe and the Far East with Adidas, 1970-1982. A.C. held memberships with the Dallas Athletic Club and Country Club and the Tucson National Golf Club. He has a home on the course, and a home in Wichita. A.C. started the Jayhawk Retriever Club in 1954 and ran retriever trials with his dogs until 2006. He had 3 field champions that participated in 9 national events. A.C. liked to hunt and fish, and pheasant hunt in South Dakota. He also liked flying, but was forced to retire. A.C. said: “Ive been very fortunate in my lifetime to have many good things happen to me that I didnt deserve, but more importantly, Im thankful for all the things that DID NOT happen to me that I DID deserve.” Preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Sara Ann Busch-Ray, daughter, Stephanie Ann, and son, Alton C. Ray, III. Survivors: wife, Betty J. Sheets-Ray; son, Steve C. Ray and wife, Bette of Tucson, AZ; granddaughter, Darby Erin Ray of Austin, TX; great-granddaughter, Kianna Ray; step-sons, Mark Sheets and wife, Nancy and their children, Max, Michael and Mitchell, Matt Sheets, Morrie Sheets and wife, Jana and their children, Libby and Dani. A memorial has been established with Lifeline Animal Placement, 310 W. 45th N., Wichita, 67204.