John Arthur Garay, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 for John Arthur Garay, Jr., 63, of Salisbury, NC, formerly of Skygusty, WV who was called home Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Carolinas’ Medical Center, Charlotte, NC. Born November 26, 1949 in Skygusty, John was the son of the late John Arthur Garay, Sr., and the late Betty Freeman Presley. John was a 1967 graduate of Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. and was an Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. John spent the majority of his life living in Skygusty, where he worked for US Steel and later worked for many years as a Correctional Officer for the McDowell County Jail. John had recently relocated to North Carolina to be close to his sons. Throughout his life, John was an avid outdoorsman. He also loved watching Redskins and WVU football, Braves baseball, and enjoyed cooking, music, and spending time with his two sons, his grandson, and his many friends. John was of the Pentacostal Holiness faith and was known for his spirit, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life. John is survived by two sons: Curtis Brian Garay, and wife, Amy, of China Grove, North Carolina; and Kevin Todd Garay, of Concord, North Carolina; one grandson, John Curtis Garay, of China Grove, North Carolina; one brother, Dr. Ronald Garay and wife, Dr. Mary Sue Garay, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and several special cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends. Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Rd., Bluefield, WV. Family visitation will begin at 5:00. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ, Skygusty, with burial to follow in Shady Grove Cemetery, Skygusty. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road (Bluewell), Bluefield, WV 24701 is serving the family.