Ray Neal Commander

Mr. Ray Commander, age78, longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach passed away Monday in Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. He was born April 16, 1934 in Darlington, Florida the son of Wilmer Franklin Commander and Irene Hudson Commander. Ray and his wife Millie both grew up in Darlington and after attending Darlington School Ray was employed with Danley Furniture Company. Ray worked in all positions at the store, repairing furniture that might have a scratch or dent, working on appliances that needed repair and even out on the collection routes. He and Millie moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1954 where Ray worked at a furniture store, but later opened his own business using the skills and knowledge he had learned from working in the business. Many will remember Ray as owner and operator of Ray’s Appliances in Fort Walton. Ray closed his business and worked on the oil rigs for a while, and later was employed as head of maintenance at a local condominium complex. A traffic accident in 2001 left Ray with serious injuries and he was from then on limited in what he could do. He loved fishing, especially floundering and oyster harvesting. He and Millie both were avid fans of the popular television series Law & Order.

Among survivors are his wife Millie Ruth Conner Commander. His children, Debra Sears of Crestview, Donna Kay Scott and husband David of Diveron, Illinois and Randal Neal Commander of Atlanta. His grandchildren, Elizabeth Hamilton, Stephanie Hamilton, Alicia Matz, Jason Crimp, Adam Crimp, Lindsey Crimp and Ashlea Foster. Six great grandchildren and his sister-in-law Margie Owens and husband William T, also survive.

A time of visitation will be Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 6 until 8 P.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel, 668 Walton Road, DeFuniak Springs . Funeral services will be held Thursday, at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home with Reverend Marilyn Perrine officiating. Burial will follow in Darlington Baptist Church Cemetery.