Funeral services for Tony Ray, a longtime WJOL radio personality and executive director of the Forest Park Community Center, will be held Wednesday at All Nations Church of God in Christ in Joliet.

Ray died Aug. 24 at the age of 53.

The funeral will start at 10 a.m., with Bishop Robert R. Sanders presiding. Entombment will follow at Joliet's Elmhurst Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, 503 S. Water St.

A lifelong resident of Joliet, Ray was born to William and Earlene Ray on July 16, 1959. He graduated from Sheridan Elementary, Washington Junior High School, Joliet East High School, where he played basketball and football, and Joliet Junior College, all in Joliet, according to the obituary drafted by Minor-Morris Funeral Home in Joliet.

He attended Lewis University in Romeoville and graduated from DeVry Insitute of Technology. He would later to return to Lewis as an adjunct faculty member and musical director for the Black Student Union Gospel Choir.  

In addition to his radio and Forest Park work, Ray was the host for the annual “Gospel Fest,” which raised money for The Harvey Brooks Foundation.

Ray is survived by his brother, Harold, and his family, including his sister-in-law Brenda, nephew Christopher, niece Whitney, two great-nephews and one great-niece, all of whom live in West Palm Beach, Fla.