Frank Milton Bray Jr
Nov 11, 1963 - Jan 19th, 2022- Birth Date: Nov 11, 1963
- Death Date: Jan 19, 2022
- Funeral Date: Unknown
- Location:
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Biography: Frank Milton Bray, Jr., 58, completed his earthly journey unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Little Rock, AR Wednesday, January 19, 2022, and changed his course toward heaven. There’s no doubt he was greeted with open arms and a grand reunion with those who had gone before him including his hero and father, Frank M. Bray, Sr, paternal grandparents, Herschel and Hazel Bray, maternal grandparents Wiley and Stella McConnell, all of Coeburn, VA; nephew David Lee Williamson of Magnolia, AR; his much-loved parents-in-law and many other family members and friends from all over.
Left behind to embrace the memories of Frank while grieving his loss are his wife, Karen Kinney Bray of Little Rock, AR and family; his much beloved mother, Barbara McConnell Bray of Coeburn, VA; his two ‘babies’ (grown sons), Frank M. Bray III and Steven Bray, and their mother Patty Woolsey Bray of Benton, AR; two daughters by marriage, Whitney Kinney and Jordan Kinney of Little Rock, AR; his ‘Big Sis’ Victoria Paradiso Beck of Scott, AR; and his ‘Baby Sis’ Lisa Bray of Magnolia, AR. Known as Uncle Frank to four nephews and their families - Peter Paradiso and Jacob Paradiso of NC, Joe Paradiso of MI, and Luke Paradiso of LA; two nieces - Ashley Williamson and Jennifer Bolick both of AR as well numerous great nephews and nieces, and special brothers by love, Patrick Barge, Alan Phillips and Danny Beck. He was blessed with family and friends and loved by all!
Due to current COVID risks, there will be no public visitation or service. Instead, the family is planning a private graveside memorial service in Coeburn, VA where he will be laid to rest near his dad. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with the family via the memorial page set up by Ruebel Funeral Home, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Born in Pasadena, TX November 11, 1963, to Barbara and Frank Bray Sr., Frank moved to Magnolia, AR where he grew up and attended school until college. He was very athletic, playing all sports available but loved baseball and martial arts the best! After high school, he attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering while interning summers for Thompson and Litton Engineering in Wise, VA. Upon graduating, he went to work full time for them as a field inspector certified by the Virginia Highway Department. In that time, he helped with the completion of several projects including a major highway through the mountains overlooking the scenic Powell Valley. To this day when traveling over, the family refers to it as “Frank’s Highway”!
Frank returned to Arkansas where he put his skills to great use in a 28-year career with the Arkansas State Highway Department aiding in the design and development of many roadway systems throughout the state. As a Registered Professional Engineer, his expertise was sought after and his integrity and pride in work spoke volumes. He was much appreciated by the Department of Transportation for his dedication to his projects and work ethic, won several awards, and retired several years ago as a Senior Staff Design Engineer.
Frank wasn’t all work and no play though! In his personal time, he loved to cook, listen to music, relax with his wife, Karen, play the guitar with his boys, hunt and fish. Fish and hunt! In his earlier years, he organized and held numerous silhouette shooting competitions across the south. And in recent years since retiring, he found his most peace when fishing, especially with his boys! If there’s a lake in Heaven, we can picture him there right now catching fish for a heavenly fish fry!
Frank was smart, kind-hearted, fun and incredibly talented! His oldest son, Frankie, said it best with these words, “He had many talents, his never-ending love for his family and children being the greatest of all.” Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com