Thomas "Ned" Bray

(Thomas) Ned Bray

          June 6, 2019 started out like any other fishing day for Ned Bray - who’s favorite hobby was fishing, telling fishing stories, hearing and reading fishing stories, talking about fishing gear and anything else that had to do with fishing. However, despite the compassionate, valiant efforts of all six people near him at the dock where he collapsed, taking turns giving him CPR for 26 min. and medics continuing for another 45 min., the trip would end with Ned going Home to be with his Lord, because, as a friend perfectly articulated, “Heaven must have needed another good fisherman“. That Ned was dearly loved by so many for his humor, wisdom and great stories, has been made clear to his wife and family. That he loved Connie and their son, Jim, more than anything, was always apparent. Ned was, in the words of so many, the best: husband; father; son; brother; brother-in-law; uncle; friend; teacher; pastor; manager; coach and mediator.     

      On December 21, 1954, Ned was born as a twin to loving parents, Orval Leonard Bray and Lila May (Lewis) Bray in Montebello, CA. He, and his brother Jeff, were brought home to their big sister, Fay, and 13 years later, Heather, his younger sister joined the family.  His childhood and teen years were filled with Boy Scouting, Baseball, Saxophone, and Oboe, as well as a lot of love and laughter with family including a large extended family. At Multnomah University, Ned earned: a Bachelors with a minor in Music and major in Biblical Studies; a Master of Divinity; and many, many friends…including his wife Connie Senner whom he married July 13, 1984. No one had ever made him happier or loved him as well - she was truly his soulmate.  In San Andreas, a son, James Daniel Bray, the pride and joy of his life, was born to them. Over the years, enjoying each other with laughter, faith, baseball and fishing together dominated the family’s life.  Over the years, Ned pastored music & youth at San Andreas, Ca, then was lead pastor in Monroe, Wa., and administrative Pastor for two churches in Portland, Ore. He was a manager of credit card services at Capital One for 17 years, then was treasured as a Court Mediator during the last few years, helping others to make peaceful, wise decisions. Ned is preceded in death by his father, mother and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Connie Lynn (Senner) Bray of Redmond, Oregon, and son James Daniel Bray of Newberg, Oregon; Sister Evelyn Fay (Bray) Castillo (Bob Castillo), their four children and families; brother, Jeffrey Bray of Albuquerque along with his daughter and granddaughter; sister, Heather (Bray) Cunico (Craig Cunico) and their four sons; and a myriad of extended family and friends – many of whom he loved extravagantly and considered close family. There will be a life-celebration brunch in his honor in Portland, Oregon, July 13, 2019. Any interested in attending, please contact us at conquilt@gmail.com. Connie is creating a memory book and would love cards and photos of any and all memories of Ned to be sent to her and Jim at: 915 SW Rimrock Way, Suite 201-106, Redmond, Oregon 97756. Other memoriams can also be sent to this address.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas "Ned" Bray, please visit our floral store.