Walter F. Ray, M.D.

Walter Flemming Ray, M.D., an assistant professor of neurology at the College of Medicine — Jacksonville and a 1966 COM graduate, died suddenly Dec. 9. He was 69.

“Dr. Ray was an immensely popular physician known for his warmth and compassion as well as his encyclopedic knowledge base,” said Dr. Robert Nuss, dean of the COM Jacksonville Regional Campus. “He will be truly missed by the medical students and residents he taught, as well as his department colleagues.”

Ray was a true Gator, earning not only his medical degree at the COM but staying on at UF to complete a residency in neurology.

After a fellowship in Montreal, he practiced medicine in Ocala for several years. He joined the department of neurology in Jacksonville in 1999.

Fraternity brothers, patients, schoolmates from high school and UF colleagues shared thoughts and memories of Ray in an online guestbook, which included four pages of sentiments.

A friend and fraternity brother recalled Ray’s “sly smile and intelligence.”

Nuss wrote that Ray leaves behind the memory of his “rich sense of humor that was typically self deprecating.”

Another colleague concurred. “His presence at the department of neurology made for a fun and interesting workday.”