NWA Capt. Revedy C. Ray III

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Revedy C. Ray III

December 30, 1939 - December 3, 2025

Following his military service, Revedy Cuthbert "RC" Ray III joined Northwest Airlines 08-05-1968 and retired with Northwest in 1999.  RC is survived by his wife Susan, and by his children and their families.

https://www.legacy.com/legacy/revedy-ray-iii 

Revedy C. Ray III's Obituary

Revedy C. Ray III (R.C.) Class of 1961, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Rosemary Durst Ray and R.C. Ray, Jr.  R.C. was raised in Little Rock and carried a fondness for his hometown with him throughout a life defined by service, adventure, and a love of the outdoors.

R.C. attended Texas A&M University as a member of the Corps of Cadets where he formed lifelong bonds and developed skills that would continue to guide him. His love for his alma mater never faded, and he remained devoted to Texas A&M, proudly supporting the next generations of Aggies through the Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation. While an undergraduate, he was selected to be a member of the Ross Volunteer Company, the official military honor guard for the Governor of Texas and the oldest student organization at Texas A&M University. He joined the United States Marine Corps, completing the Platoon Leaders Course as Battalion Honor Man. Following commissioning, he attended The Basic School and upon graduation entered flight training, receiving his Wings of Gold in 1963. R.C. was qualified to fly the T-34, TF-9J, F-11, and the A-4. As an A-4 pilot, he bravely flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam, a testament to his courage, skill, and dedication to his fellow Marines and his country. His time in the cockpit fueled an interest in aviation that took him from military service to a distinguished 31-year career for Northwest Airlines. He was qualified to fly many airframes for Northwest that included the B727, B757, B767, and B747. His airframe qualifications also included a Cessna 185 seaplane and a Learjet.

R.C. found his peace and joy in the great outdoors. He had a deep love of hunting and fishing, passions he thoroughly enjoyed sharing with family and friends, creating many memories in the woods and on the water. He also loved cross-country and downhill skiing, running, and playing tennis, activities he shared with his children. He was a competitive and highly rated USTA tennis player, and at the peak of his running days, he completed a marathon.

He was a devoted husband to his wife, Susan, sharing a lifetime of memories through their many adventures together. Growing up and throughout his entire life, he remained close to his sisters, Margaret and Martha, sharing a bond of love and laughter.

R.C.’s legacy lives through his four loving children: John (Hue) Ray; Bill (Valicia) Ray; Andy (Liz) Ray; and Maria Ray (Hill) Goodspeed. He was a proud Grandpa to eleven grandchildren: Emma Ray, Sara Ray, Hunter (Elise) Vickrey Rebecca Ray (Joe) Muhitch, Alex Ray, Chloe Ray, Katie Ray (Sam) Goecke, Andrew Ray, Connor Goodspeed, Jackson (Claire) Goodspeed, Anna Goodspeed, and great-grandchild, Peter Ambrose Goecke. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Richard (Martha) Brooks, sisters-in-law Paula (Dave) Skelton and Gina (John) Hernandez and several nieces and nephews.

His steady manner, quiet strength, and easy smile will be missed by family and friends. The family celebrated his life by holding a private ceremony surrounded by the peaceful sounds of rushing waters and birdsong.

Published on Legacy.com November 06, 2026