John Pearl “Johnny” Ray III, died Monday, January 6, 2020, at his home in Lubbock, Texas. He was born in El Paso August 22, 1961. A graduate of Monterey High School (Class of 1979) he had spent most of his life in Lubbock, except for a few years in Key West, Florida. Johnny Ray’s business card described him as a “pretty darn good drummer” and “all around swell guy.” He was also known as “Uncle Johnny” and laughingly called himself “master of the universe.” His musical talent, primarily as a drummer, led him to perform in just about every band in Lubbock and Key West, producing recordings from several bands, including the Asparaus Nightmares, Red Ball Jets, and Caffeine Carl and the Funky Coffee Beans. He rarely missed a jam night at Lubbock’s local establishments. His somewhat quirky posts on his Facebook page entertained viewers with his photos of the magnificent West Texas skies and of his culinary dishes created out of whatever he scored on sale or from his rounds as a deliverer of restaurant takeout orders. He loved his Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, and often voiced his thoughts on the political scene. His apartment complex neighbors rallied around Johnny’s efforts to care for stray cats, resulting in many being spayed or neutered, and all being well fed and housed in his cat houses created out of plastic storage bins. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Dr. John Pearl Ray, Jr., and Mary (Betty) Ham Ray, and a sister, Caroline Redd Ray. He is survived by his sisters Anne Streeter of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Julia Williams (Jim) and Susan Kent, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his uncle Robert Holland of Seattle, Washington; nieces and nephews Joshua Williams, Kate Williams-Moore, Kim King, Sarah Bull and Braden Bull of Fayetteville/Bentonville; and grand nieces and nephews Kai Sterling Williams-Moore, Kenzie King, Grace Chapman, Calliope Bull, Carmen Bull, and Shae Poppy Bull, all of Fayetteville/Bentonville. The family wishes to thank the outpouring of love from Johnny’s fellow musicians and friends. Two tribute concerts have already been held, with a third scheduled for March 14, 2020, at Blue Light Live in Lubbock. (Resthaven will add note about handling cremation)