Ray Robert Metzger, 85, of Tifton, GA passed away May 11, 2023, after a lengthy illness.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Brighton Road Baptist Church with Dr. Clark Harden officiating. Mr. Metzger will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour (10:00 a.m.) before the funeral service at Brighton Road Baptist Church, 162 Brighton Rd, Tifton, GA.
Ray was born August 18, 1937, in Pensacola, Florida and was the son of the late Ray Robert Metzger, Sr. and Josie Seckinger Metzger. He was also preceded in death by his son, Jerry Robert Metzger, the love of his life for 64 years, Betty Chloe Metzger, his sister, Barbara Metzger Bose and his sister-in-law, Barbara Gleaton Acree.
Ray attended Auburn University where he met his wife on a blind date and graduated with a BA in Aeronautical Engineering. He was enrolled in Auburn’s ROTC program, and upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served as a pilot for four years. He continued his military career in the US Navy Reserves as a lieutenant in 1963. In 1969, he became employed at Northrop Gunnman in Huntsville, AL as an aeronautical engineer for four years.
Before retiring, Ray and his wife owned and operated Cycles Unlimited, a motorcycle dealership and shop, for about 30 years in Decatur, AL. Since retiring to Tifton, he enjoyed flying his own plane and riding and racing motorcycles well into his seventies. Ray loved the Lord and was an active member of Brighton Road Baptist Church where he sang in the choir.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Donna Metzger of Tifton, GA; two grandchildren, David Metzger and wife Phoebe of Lenoir City, TN and Robin Metzger and fiancé Joseph Hester of Tifton, GA; one great-grandson, Luke Metzger of Lenoir City, TN; one sister-in-law, Beverly Gleaton Sterling and husband, Danny E. Sterling of Tifton.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff and loving caregivers for Ray of the Abide Home Care of Tifton and to Dr. Brent Savelli and staff of Tift Internal Medicine Center for their faithful attention to Ray during his years living in Tifton. They would also like to thank the staff at Ameris Branch Bank on Old Ocilla Road in Tifton for their kindness to Ray.
The staff and caregivers of Abide Homecare; Ray’s faithful housekeeper of many years, Helima Batts, Rudine Nixon, Kathryn Smith, Linda Griffin, Sherreon Rush, Betsy Stubbs, Ann Moser, Aisha Martin, Katherine Wright and Cindy Bullington, R.N. will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, S.W. GA Regional Office, 225 E. Second St., Tifton, GA 31794; or Brighton Road Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1568, Tifton, GA 31793.