Full Name:  Ray Loring Johnson
     Born:  August 2, 1933, Jacksonville, Fla.
     Died:  November 2, 2023, Charleston, S.C.

Year  No  Hgt  Wgt  Cl  Ltr  Hometown
52-53  6  5-11 160  Fr   *   Albany, GA                          
53-54  5  5-11 155  So   *   Albany, GA                          
54-55  5  5-10 155  Jr   *   Albany, GA                          
55-56  5  5-9  150  Sr   *   Albany, GA                          

Dr. Ray Loring Johnson, 90, passed away November 2, 2023, at his home in Charleston, South Carolina. A celebration of his life will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Putney United Methodist Church, 1301 Dorough Avenue, Albany, GA.

Ray was born on August 2, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida and moved to Albany where he attended Albany public schools. He was a 1951 graduate of Albany High School, in the first Albany High School class to complete a twelve year curriculum. He was a 1955 graduate of Florida State University which he attended on a volleyball scholarship after being discovered by the FSU Volleyball coach while playing volleyball at the Albany YMCA. He was twice selected All-American and was a member of the 1955 National Volleyball Championship team. He loved rooting for his beloved ala mater, the FSU Seminoles, throughout his life.

Ray was a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and practiced Family Medicine in Eastman, Georgia for a number of years before returning to Medical College of Georgia to complete a Psychiatry Residency. He established in Atlanta, Georgia, a private practice of psychiatry which spanned three decades.

Upon retirement in Atlanta, Ray returned to his hometown, Albany, Georgia to be near family and old friends and made numerous new friends through participation in family activities and community organizations, especially performing arts.

His love for opera, especially Puccini, prompted his spontaneously singing whenever and wherever it he could, often without concern for whether it was appropriate. Rounding out his musical talents he shared his beautiful tenor voice as a choir member, singing at family and friends weddings, musical theatre, and as a member of the Albany Chorale. A theater career highlight was co-starring with wife Joy in Theatre Albany's production of "On Golden Pond".

Ray was a true polymath. He ran, sang, studied every day and was proficient in several languages always learning the language of his many foreign travel destinations. He was an ornithologist and active member of the Atlanta Astronomy Club. His happy place was among his neighbors and friends on Little Cumberland Island where he shared his love of nature and The Turtle Project with his children and grandchildren.

Ray completed many marathons including Boston and New York. He ran 36 Peachtree Road Races. Peachtree Road Race was an annual family event as his five children and later grandchildren and nephews joined him over the years to race, enjoy Fourth of July Celebration and often times an Atlanta Braves game over the weekend.

Ray was pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Bill Johnson, Warren Johnson and John Johnson; his sister Leslie Johnson Dehn and niece Amy Johnson.

Year  Award
1955  United States Volleyball Association - 2nd Team All-American
1956  United States Volleyball Association - 2nd Team All-American