It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Ray on Monday, September 12, 2022, at his home in Slidell, LA.  Howard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Katheryn "Becky" Hyde Ray, his children Martin Ray and Renae' (Jason) Montegut and his granddaughter, Taylor Ray.  Howard is survived by his sister, Lillie (James "Feet") Frederic, sister-in-law, Patsy Ray, brother-in-law Frank (Janelle) Hyde and numerous nieces (Godchild Denise Robinson), nephews (Godchild Darren Braud), great nieces, great nephews and cousins.  Howard also leaves behind his "adopted" family, Charles, Melissa, Cody (Chloe), Kristan, Jace, Lane and Cora Montgomery.

Howard was born on November 13, 1946, to Henry and Earlene Ray, Sr., who preceded him in death along with his father and mother-in-law, Bennie Frank and Catherine Hyde, brothers Virgil "Buddy" Ray & wife Norma, Manuel Ray, Gene Ray, Henry Ray, Jr., sisters Jeanette Kling and husband Alex Kling, Jr., and Marie Braud and husband Gary Braud. He is also preceded in death by his "adopted" son, Eric Alexander.

Howard was born in Baton Rouge and lived his early years in Dutchtown and Prairieville.  His parents moved to Slidell when he was 12 years old, and he never left.  He was a proud Vietnam Veteran who served in the Army driving a tank in the Old Ironsides division.  When he returned from service, he entered the Institute of Computer Technology and then later attended Delgado Community College.  He used the knowledge he gained to earn a job at Chilton Credit Corporation as a Systems Administrator and continued that career path with the same boss but different companies for many years after.

Howard comes from a family of musicians, and he honed his craft with many different instruments including the piano, guitar, bass and more.  Although he never learned to read music, he could play anything by ear.  He joined a band at a young age and played all over Slidell and the Gulf South at weddings, clubs and anywhere else they could get a gig in the 60's and 70's.  His bands, The Downbeats and Right on Limited, included his brother, Gene Ray, Charles "Fritz" Walker, Sr., Wayne Thomas, Chris Villa, Sr., Gary Mills, Calvin Bohnet and Courtney Smith.  This band of brothers stayed close until the end with the living members having their last visit just two weeks prior to his death.

After Hurricane Katrina, Howard and his wife opened their home and their land to anyone who needed a place to stay.  They had a small RV lot on their land with family, friends and friends of friends who were welcomed to stay as long as they needed to until they could rebuild their homes.

Howard also enjoyed watching LSU on Saturdays, Saints on Sundays, golfing, gardening, hunting, fishing, wood working, classic cars and coffee.  You could catch him at his favorite hangouts grabbing a cup of coffee just about any day of the week around 2:30 pm and if he wasn't there, he was probably at one of his siblings' homes having coffee with them instead.

Howard touched a lot of people in his life and remained close with many of them.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to Tunnel to Towers in Howard's memory.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME,

1751 GAUSE Blvd. WEST (IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY), Slidell, LA
on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 1:00 P.M.

Interment to follow in FOREST LAWN CEMETERY.

Visitation on Monday after 11:00 A.M. until funeral time.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.