Happy Birthday Uncle Ray! Miss your physical presence so much, but keep you forever in my heart.
Love you,
K-G

I have known Rayford and Sumpit for many years, as I've had the pleasure of selling them vehicles from our dealership. I always loved talking to Rayford about anything ,but especially concerning his flying missions for the armed forces. As many have mentioned, He always had a smile ..I know He will be missed by many and I will miss Him too

I woke up remembering all the text my "Uncle" and I shared regularly over the last few years. I cherished this communication because it was one on one. He had sent me a fairly serious text about someone not feeling well and ended it with, LOL. I wrote back and asked if he knew that meant laugh out loud? He replied and said... Tambo, it also stands for Lots Of Love. From that moment... It always meant Lots of Love to me. He taught me to see things past the obvious. Past the petty. He was wise beyond words.

Safe journey my Uncle.. I love you and will miss you.

We have so many fond memories of Uncle Jeff.The family would make trips from Ohio to Waco at Christmas, no blizzard stopped us. Uncle Jeff would make our Christmas so special, he was always the Jolly Santa Claus and passed the gifts out Christmas morning one at a time. The Christmas trees were always so tall. He had the biggest blue eyes, deep voice, Jolly laugh, and big smile just like Santa. Uncle Jeff I love you for making my childhood wonderful, and making me see the good things in life. My summers with you were just as much fun! I am honored to have you in my life, thank you for all the special talks and great times! love your niece Rita

Ray got along with everybody and looked forward to talking to all. I remember him as the man that could make a C123 do anything he commanded. I remember him as a great ambassador of life itself, every time we would meet, he had a smile and very warm welcome. We certainly need more people of his light natured personality in this world and it would be a much nicer place to live. His passing leaves a big void, Ray will be missed. My heart goes out to you Sompit and Beau,I am sure that God is his copilot now and will be flying over and keeping watch on us until we join him.
Love and good memories to all.
Stash Waite

Every time I would visit Uncle Ray he would make me laugh. I remember a time when we were sitting at the dinner table and he was getting chewed out by Aunt Pit and Jeanett about his crazy driving. I saw him slowly reach up to shut his hearing aid off so he could end the interrigation. Then he looked over at me and gave me a wink. Kept on nodding his head occasionally. I smiled just now thinking about it. Thank you Uncle Ray.

We remember him, as far back as our memory will take us. We thank him, for everything he taught us-to live and love life with a purpose. We honor him, in our hearts forever.

The bluest eyes, the brightest smile. The dignity, the class, the graciousness. The "old schoolness" that we are losing. We didn't know your Dad well, and we didn't know him long...but we knew him, we were hounored to know him, long enough to know we were in the presence of a special man. Our lives were enriched by him. He is an unforgetable man. God speed to him. Lucky you. Ross and Wendy

We were very close friends of Capt. Jeff in Laos. My wife Mel worked in the AAM office in Ventiane, and he was my favorite captain to fly with. Not only was he the easiest guy to fly with he was very clever and witty. We flew several special ops missions together that I still have vivid memories of. In recent years we really enjoyed seeing he and Sompit at the reunions. He'll be very much missed by us.

One of my Dad's good friends said "He's doing the last take off, no more landings, he will just stay up there."

I remember meeting Ray for the first time and having the strongest impression he was a much younger man in disguise. And I was right. The years had confined his frame to a wheelchair but his spirit was still firing on all cylinders. I’d like to think we became fast friends on the spot, but I expect he treated any stranger with the same generosity. Later, when I got to know him better, I learned that Ray was truly one of the better angels of his generation. Not just for his extraordinary service to country and love for his family, but for how he guided so many others by his unassuming example. I just wish another body could somehow be found for him. I expect he had a few things left to teach us. -

My fondest memories of my dear Uncle were dinners, sitting around the table while he told stories of when he flew, or when I kept him up all night looking at the stars, when I was three.

He loved my daughter, April Nicholson and once when she was small, she was sitting in his lap and he was tickling her. He had already started to lose his hearing and she was giggling and telling him she had to pee, He kept tickling her and she pee'd on him. He said, "You SHOULD have told me you needed to pee." ~ She said, "I DID" Their laughter is one of my best memories of them together.

I remember him coming home when he worked for Air America. We picked him up at the airport and he arrived with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. I thought he had to be one of the most important people on earth. Turns out, he was.

He is and will always be one of the few constants in my life. There was never a time that I couldn't turn to him for comfort, a warm reception, a wise word. I love him and always will.

My Dad was always slow to anger and quick to laugh. If the real treasures in life are courage, laughter and love, he was a very wealthy man.

I am "Katie-girl", Ray's niece. He is my uncle, but has been my contemporary, friend, adviser, confidant. He doesn't have an "age". When I was about 14, he was home for a visit. He told me I could go to Thailand with him and he would send me to school. My mother found me packing...asked me where was I going...I told her, why, I am going to go to Thailand with Uncle Ray and go to school. She ran out of the room hollering "RAAAAAYYYYFFFOOOOORRRD!". She gave him an earful. He just smiled. Never got mad. He was patient, he was kind. He has been the example to all of us, in-laws and outlaws too! He has made us all want to be better people. I have been so blessed and my life has been richer and I have learned so much, because of Rayford Jeffrey. When he crosses over, what a welcome he will have! I love you Uncle Ray! I am so thankful you've been in my life!

I loved every minute I spent with your Dad. I loved his enthusiasm for life as he was living it, as well as his fond memories! His family and beloved friends were certainly the joys of his life. I am thankful to be counted among the friends.

My heart is heavy with sorrow for your loss, SomPit and Beau, as well as the rest of Mr. Ray's family. May The God of All Comfort bless you all!

In 1973 Frank Thorsen was killed by a single round while flying a Volpar. I helped Ray Jeffery wash the blood off Frank's personal effects. It was not a pleasant task and he didn't have to do it, but he did it anyway out of kindness and respect. But, when it came to flying hazardous missions he was no nonsense and he was very good at his job. That was Ray Jeffery. Kind when needed. Hard when necessary. Ray was old enough to be my father. I looked up to him as a mentor. Some people pass too quickly.

Ray was one of those rare people who made you a better person for having met him. God bless and ease Sompit's heart in this time of sorrow.

I'm very sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I flew with him at Air America and enjoyed seeing him at our annual reunions. He was always a happy, friendly guy and I will miss him.

Sad to hear, but what a life. Flew with him in Air America and he was one of my favorite fixed wing guys! Always smiling and friendly. A good man.

Ray and his sweet heart were such a delight. He told me two of the funniest stories I ever heard - I have tried to retell them and cannot give them the twist he did. I was pleased to know the marriage he and Sompit created despite the gulf of years and culture. A tribute to both of them.