Oral history interview with Richard Ray, 1989 July 6

@ University of West Georgia. Special Collections

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Richard Belmont Ray (1927-1999) was born on February 2, 1927 in Fort Valley, Georgia. He graduated from high school in 1944 and went into the United States Navy during World War II, serving until 1946. After his service, he worked as a farmer and businessman before entering Democratic politics. He served as mayor of Perry, Georgia from 1964-1970, during the same time that Sam Nunn was the city attorney. When Nunn was elected to the United States Senate in 1972, he took Ray along as his administrative assistant. Ray worked in this position for ten years, and was elected to represent Georgia's 3rd Congressional District in 1982. Ray was known as a conservative, pro-life Democrat who advocated for veterans and military bases. He was also one of Georgia's wealthiest representatives at the time. After losing his seat to Republican Mac Collins in 1992, Ray started a consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. He died in 1999 in Macon, Georgia due to complications during emergency heart valve-replacement surgery.; Interviewed by Mel Steely on July 6, 1989.; The interview begins with a discussion on Richard Ray's childhood. He talks about his religious background, as well as his years in school. He talks about how World War II affected his time at high school, and his decision to join the Navy. Ray answers questions about his young adulthood, his wife, and their struggles to establish themselves. He discusses being a business man in the 1950s and his struggles with the pest control businesses. Ray...

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Steely, MelUniversity of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program

Oral history interview with Richard Ray, 1989 July 6

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