Macon Ray

My sister Tracy is three years older than I am. I remember when she got to high school she would come home talking about her art teacher, how he was such a great teacher and how much she enjoyed his class. My art teacher at the time was Linda Ray, and I really liked her. Three years later I joined my sister in high school and I took art classes with the same teacher she had. His name was Macon Ray and I came to care about him just as much as my sister did. We both wound up taking four years of his classes and I can honestly say that I loved each day of those classes.
If you haven't guessed, Macon and Linda were husband and wife. Both teachers and both wonderful people. I recall many stories that Macon would tell and many times we just sat and talked. He was a great role model for a young man. He was honest and sincere, honorable, and friendly. I was lucky enough to have been able to call him a friend even after I graduated. I would sometimes go to the school and visit him and he was always happy to see me.
One day in class we were talking about the different ways people spell Jeff. I mentioned that some people spell it Geoffrey and he said something about that being pronounced "Goofrey". From that day on I was "Goofrey", never Jeff.
Macon passed away last week at the age of 81. Cancer took him much too soon. I went to his memorial service yesterday. The church was packed with friends and family and many people told stories of how they had met Macon, or what an impact he had on their lives. It was touching to see that many people there to wish him well. I know that when I go there will not be a crowd nearly as big to see me off.
Macon was famous for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Many people mentioned this at his service. I didn't know him as an actor, I knew him as Macon, a friend. I knew him as Mr. Ray, a teacher. I knew him as a person that loved a good story or a good joke. He wasn't afraid to make people laugh either with or at him.
Many people at the service told of good times with Macon and Linda. I don't have any stories like that. I would see him in Corydon at Butt Drugs or Jock's Lunch (when it was still around) and we would talk for a few minutes. We may not have spent a lot of time together, but he made a huge impact in my life.
I wish you the best Macon.