Ray Gene Byrge, age 60, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2006 at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Mr. Byrge was born January 17,1946 in Morgan County. He has lived in Oliver Springs for thirty-two years. Ray was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in the Stevens community of Morgan County.

Ray served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war receiving various awards and accommodations including a sharpshooter citation. He was a member of the Oliver Springs Disabled American Veterans. He worked as the Tenant Supervisor for Menin Development at the Tri-County Mall in Oliver Springs for twenty-five years.

His hobbies included outdoor sports, hunting, fishing and camping.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Reba Moore Byrge; by a sister, Donna Portwood; by a brother, Avery Byrge; by a nephew, Johnny Richardson, and by his father-in-law, Dexter Russell.

Survivors: wife of 33 years, Kathy Russell Byrge of Oliver Springs; Son, Trinity Ray Byrge of Oliver Springs; Grandson, Austin Byrge of Oliver Springs; Brothers: Michael Byrge of Rockwood, Loranzo Byrge and wife Melissa of Oliver Springs; Sisters: Charlene Richardson and husband Bill of Wartburg; Ruth Richardson and husband John of the Stevens Community in Morgan County; Darlene Wallace and husband Randy of Coalfield; Judy Phillips and husband Jesse of Caryville; Mother-in-law, Roxie Russell of Oliver Springs; Brother-in-laws, Frank Simpson and wife Lisa of Oliver Springs; Don Russell and wife Pat of Briceville; Larky Russell and wife Chris of Oliver Springs; Sisters-in-law, Patsy Tinker and husband Bill of Harriman, Shirley Tinker and husband Hayes of Oliver Springs, Debbie Bunch and husband Doug of Oliver Springs, Tammy Peters and husband Joe of Oliver Springs; Special friends, Jimmy Neal, J.B. Langley, Herman Frazier, and Maurice Walker all of Oliver Springs. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Sharp Funeral Home between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 19, 2006 at the Old Sanctuary of Beech Park Baptist Church at 2:00 pm with Pastor Robbie Leach and Rev. Gary Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at the Oliver Springs Cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Source:
Clinton Courier News
March 2006