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Ray E Marcrom
March 19th, 1948 - July 9th, 2024
March 19th, 1948 - July 9th, 2024
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
We THANK YOU for leaving us your memories and stories of Ray. They will be most comforting in the hours, days, and months to come as we grieve like those that have hope.
Ray went to be with our Lord on July 9th, 2024 at 10:14am. His last hours were spent telling Jane he loved her, attending a men’s bible study, and joining a group of men from church to build a ramp for someone in need. On some level - this is a microcosm of Ray’s life. He loved family, loved studying the Bible and Christian fellowship, and most of all - serving others - especially those less fortunate and those in his own community.
Ray Edward Marcrom Obituary
Ray Edward Marcrom, 76, of Manchester, TN, died on July 9, 2024, while serving the community he loved.
He was born on March 19, 1948, in Manchester to H.D. and Agnes Marcrom, the oldest of three siblings. He was raised to know, love, and serve the Lord through his parents’ example. Ray attended Lipscomb University where he met the great love of his life, Jane Brumfield, who taught him the gift of a good hug. They were married on December 30, 1969.
After completing his education at Lipscomb University, he moved to Memphis, TN, to pursue his Doctorate of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee’s School of Pharmacy. An outstanding student and leader, Ray was class president and graduated Summa Cum Laude of his doctoral program in 1972.
Upon graduation, he and Jane moved home to Manchester where Ray worked with his father H.D. at Baker Brothers Pharmacy in downtown Manchester for six years. His love of people was evident by the way he served his community locally and sought to serve internationally through regular medical mission trips to Central America. With the blessing of Ray’s father, Ray and Jane opened their own pharmacy, Marcrom’s, in 1978, faithfully serving the community that he loved so dearly for 46 years.
An innovative pharmacist who was passionate about his field and its ability to help others, Ray especially enjoyed training the next generation of pharmacists. He cherished both teaching at Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy and training many pharmacy residents at his community pharmacy. He and Jane often hosted them in their home while they trained. He received many professional awards, including Tennessee Pharmacist of the Year, Innovative Pharmacist of the Year, the Bowl of Hygeia Award, Tennessee College of Pharmacy Alumnus of the Year, APhA Daniel B. Smith Practice Excellence Award, and the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Pharmacist of the Year.
Although his professional accolades were numerous, his true passion was serving his community with his time, energy, and resources. Ray has served the people of Manchester as Campus Night Youth Director, as an elder of Forest Mill church of Christ, and was actively serving on the Elk River Public Utility District Gas Board. In his retirement years, he spent countless hours investing in the people of Manchester through One Day of Hope, serving as president of the board. In 2023, he was instrumental in creating a space for a free medical clinic in conjunction with Partners for Healing.
Though he served in official capacities with many organizations, he seemed to most enjoy serving the people of Manchester by mowing their lawns when they were ill, participating in a home ramp building ministry, welcoming people into his home, officiating dozens of weddings and funerals, leading regular Bible studies, or by taking his longtime friend Roger to Waffle House for breakfast.
Ray loved sports, traveling, and adventures, especially when supporting his children in their athletic pursuits. In case you’ve never heard, Samuel won the 2005 Golf District Tournament and Sarah was on the 1993 Basketball State Championship Team. He enjoyed the outdoors from camping in Montana to rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Golf was a passion of his life, including attending the Masters Golf Tournament and playing the Old Course in Saint Andrews, Scotland. He loved playing golf with his family, but the truth is he was thrilled to play with anyone.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jane; his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Lynn and Joe McKamey, and their sons, Eli and Micah; his son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Sarah Ann Marcrom, and their sons, Paul, Samuel “Riggs,” and Luke; his brother Tom (Elaine) Marcrom; his sister Mary Carol (Jerry) Stephens; his foster sister Judy Michael; his sister-in-law Susan Pauley; his brother-in-law Steven Brumfield; and his nieces and nephews: Jason (Juli) Stephens, Andrea (Hunter) Johnston, Brian Marcrom, Allison (Keller) Skinner, Kelly (Ritchie) Pickens, Tim Pauley, Kerri (Chad) Edwards, Laura (Lee) Camp, Lisa Brumfield, Carrie Brumfield, and Catherine (Pete) Nelson.
A visitation service celebrating Ray’s life will be held at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN, on Saturday, July 13th, from 4-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at Forest Mill church of Christ on Sunday, July 14th, at 1 PM with a private family graveside service to follow.
If you are unable to attend The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Forest Mill church of Christ YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/g9HPU3Xl1QE?si=aMWP8eILOXfYGIr1
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ray's memory to (Jane would MUCH prefer money be sent to these instead of being spent on flowers, gifts, or keepsakes):
One Day of Hope
PO Box 99
Manchester, TN 37349
Forest Mill Ramp Ministry
Memo Line: In Memory of Ray Marcrom
Forest Mill Church of Christ
3388 McMinnville Highway
Manchester, TN 37355
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Ray’s life with a heartfelt message.
Sherry and Ric Kinkade
Ray and Jane— it’s hard to say, one name without the other. Lovely, encouraging, faithful, serving, and devoted to each other, their family and their community. Ray and Jane welcomed us to Forest Mill church 26 years ago and have continued to be our friends. We always have left their presence with warmth, love, and encouragement. Jane, so many memories have been shared that we could echo. Ric and I both had the wonderful opportunity to travel with Ray to Guatemala on mission trips. Rikki and I traveled with Ray and Samuel in 2006 to work in Antigua with a team from Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas. We also spent a weekend with Hiawatha and Byron at the Linda Vista church in Guatemala city. Ray and I both had the opportunity to speak and offer health services. Ric traveled with Ray and a team from Forest Mill in 2007 and worked with Hiawatha and Byron. Ray showed such compassion to the people we met and listened intently to them as they shared their lives and concerns with us. When I became ill on the day we were touring the Mayan Ruins, Ray gave me medication, of course, and he and Samuel probably watched over Rikki more than she felt she needed while I rested. But their presence and help was so appreciated and comforting. Ray and Ric spent time together in Guatemala, Upward Basketball, and New Life Ministry. Ray was always supportive and encouraging and willing to participate in the children’s program we were involved in. He showed kindness and compassion and a gentle spirit that spoke to all generations. We will always appreciate the way he nurtured us and was concerned for our physical and spiritual wellbeing. After watching the memorial service, my take away is to pray for the spirit to lead me to see the best in others as Ray did. We love you, Ray, and our hearts and prayers are with Jane, Sarah, Samuel and families.
Michael Hollingsworth
Ray was a truly remarkable man. I knew him my entire life since I was a little boy. He was smart, kind, funny and gentle. He also had a servant’s heart - I cannot recall the number of times that he opened the pharmacy after-hours to get needed medication for my parents when they were ill. When my Mom died in 2022, there was only one choice to be the main speaker at her funeral - Ray. Manchester has lost the best man who ever lived there. Prayers for his family. May his memory be a blessing! He will be missed.
Patricia O'Connor
I attended Mr Ray's funeral yesterday. What a tribute to a man that tried to exceed what God wants all of His people to live. I loved hearing everyone's memories of him. He was a pillar of love and goodness in our community. We, in the O'Connor household, truly love and admire Ray Marcrom and the same with all his family.
Susie Hamilton
My earliest memories go back at least 35 years ago bringing up two children without much money and when talking to a friend about one of their illnesses, my friend suggest I take them by the pharmacy as Mr. Ray Marcrom was great to look in their ears and see if they had an ear infection ( which was suspected) . So I did and met a really kind man to me as well as my children. They did have an ear infection and to my recollections, Ray never charged us for that antibiotic. Later, a few years, I started a cleaning business and one of my first clients was helping Jane at Christmas time do extra cleaning. Later, I became Mrs. Brumfield’s ( Jane’s mom) regular cleaner until her death, And some years later became Ray and Jane’s house cleaner but even much more as years passed by! Friends! A brother and sister in Christ. What a joy it has been to clean for them and to see such an example of a husband and father! Ray has been a sweet friend to my husband, Rockey as well and at one time has counseled us during a hard time! I thank the Lord for him, his words of encouragement to us and his example of a life lived for Jesus! He loved people where they were and made them feel they mattered; something we should all be doing! Ray and Jane have been such sweet friends all these years to give encouragement, help financially, prayed with us, brought food but what I’m most appreciative for is their prayers for us and our children at very critical times in our lives! We love you all and want you to know Ray will be missed by us and that you all are now in our prayers! Love you, Susie
Elese Alsup
I just want to say what a blessing it has been in my life to know both Ray and Jane. I got to know Jane when we did Momentous together and that time spent with her will always mean a lot to me. Other good memories are the times that they were leaders of a small group and always being welcomed in their house and that gave me the opportunity to know them both a better and enjoy their company. What I'll always be grateful for is the fact that when Ray was an elder at Forest Mill he and some other elders and men of the church did an intervention at my request, to help try and save my marriage of 20 years. Like most interventions it was fairly emotionally fraught. I will be forever grateful that Ray and all the men took the time to do this for me. Unfortunately the marriage failed but I will always appreciate what Ray and the others took time out of their weekend to try and help us. I will forever miss his presence.
Maggie Smith
The world would be a much better place if more people embodied the characteristics of Ray Marcrom.
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