Mr. Raymond Perry Rorie Jr., 99 of Charlotte, affectionately known as Ray, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2019 at Levine & Dickson.  He was born in Anson County, North Carolina on June 18, 1920 to the late Raymond and Susie Hoffman Rorie.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin B. Rorie.

Ray graduated in the eleventh grade from Winchester Avenue High School in Monroe, North Carolina.  He continued his education at Elizabeth City State University.  After a year, he transferred to Agricultural and Technical College (now North Carolina A&T State University) in Greensboro, North Carolina.  His education was interrupted by military service in World War II.  After basic training, he was sent to Springfield, Missouri to become a surgical technician.  He served in combat in Italy in the 370th Infantry, 92nd Buffalo Division.  After being honorably discharged in December 1945, Ray graduated from the Agricultural and Technical University.  He continued his education at New York University and received a Master's Degree in Public Health Education.

Ray worked at the New York Post Graduate Hospital where he cared for John L. Lewis' coal miners who had become paraplegics or quadriplegics as a result of accidents in the coal mines.

His professional services in education began as a teacher of Science and Health at Second Ward High School.  Ray was on of the first TV Science teachers in North Carolina.  His career included working as a guidance counselor, Director of Teenage Parent Program, and as a principal in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System.  He retired from the school system in 1982 after serving for 30 years touching the lives of countless children through his various positions.  Upon retirement, he enjoyed teaching lessons from the Bible, playing bridge, golfing, gardening and traveling.

Ray was active in the Charlotte community where he belonged to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Retired Teachers Association, North Carolina Association of Educators, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Life Member), Metropolitan Board of YMCA, and the Charlotte Golfing Seniors Association.  He was the first African-American to be appointed to the Mecklenburg County Board of Health.  Ray was also recognized for his unselfish service to the Charlotte Urban League and received the Presbyterian Youth Summit Award.

One of the greatest joys in Ray's life was traveling with his wife and friends on a Mediterranean cruise to several European countries, including Italy where years earlier, he was in combat with the 92nd Buffalo Division.

Ray's greatest legacy was his love and devotion to his family.  Those who will miss him most are his beloved wife of 64 years, Bernice; his daughter, Rita Dawkins; his son-in-law, James Dawkins; his three grandchildren, Jayson, Jarrett, and Jade Dawkins; his nephews, Marvin (Annette) Rorie; his great-nephews, Morgan and Madison Rorie; his sister-in-law, Jeanne Rorie Ross, and a host of devoted family and friends.