Jeffrey Lee Ray

Jeffrey Lee Ray 61, of Sylva, NC passed away on July 26, 2021.

Jeff grew up outside of Nashville, TN and earned a Journeyman Industrial Electrician license while working at R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Gallatin TN.  He then earned his Bachelors and Master degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University, and completed his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University.  He has served as Dean of Engineering at Western Carolina University since 2014.  Throughout his 28 year academic career, he served in many roles with the ABET and ASEE organizations, and was an ASEE Fellow.

Jeff is survived by his wife Tina Ray, sister-in-law Brenda Johnson, nephew Allen Ray (Jessica), great-niece Hannah Ray, sister-in-law Teresa Holt (Tony), and brother-in-law Thomas Hopkins.  He is preceded in death by his parents Bonnell and June Ray, and brother Michael Ray.

Visitation is from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 29th, at Appalachian Funeral Home in Sylva, with a Celebration of Life service at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hopkins and Ray Engineering and Technology Endowed Scholarship at Western Carolina University.

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving the family.