Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-16
PRESTON RAY DIES
IN ROCKVILLE HOME
Clerk of Court Thought to
Have Been Stricken While
Limiting Gas.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, April 16.-Pres-
ton Blair Ray, clerk of the Circuit
Court since 1914, was asphyxiated by
illuminating gas in the kitchen of his
home here yesterday afternoon.
His death took from public life one
of Montgomery County's most beloved
and respected citizens He was held in
esteem by political enemies as well as
his friends During the last election
he polled the largest vote ever given
candidate in the county.
Victim of Ill Health.
He had been in i'll health for
number of years and is thought to
have been stricken with heart attack
or fainting spell as he was about to
light the gas stove. A coffee pot was
found on the stove and burned match
beside his body
The tragedy was discovered by Mr.
Rays 11-year-old son. Preston B. Ray,
jr, and Alexander Prescott. about the
same age. as the boys returned from
school Yesterday afternoon. The Pres
colt boy is a nephew of Stedman Pres
colt States attorney. Mrs. Ray was
attending function at the Montgom-
cry Country Club ST the time.
The boys ran to the Colonial Funeral
Home nearby and summoned William
Reuben Humphrey. who called Mrs. Ray
and the Kensington Volunteer Fire De-
partment rescue squad. The District
of Columbia rescue squad, with addi-
tional oxygen tanks, was summoned
later and the f1remen and Mrs. Dexter
M, Billiard and Gilbert Y. Hartley
worked on him until after O'Clock,
when they despaired of restoring life.
He is thought to have been dead when
found by his son.
Went Home to Rest.
Because of his health. Mr. Ray often
went home in the afternoons to rest.
He lunched yesterday with Alton Bell.
clerk in the Office of the county COM
nliSsioners, who drove him home in his
automobile. He is thought to have been
about to prepare some coffee when the
accident occurred.
Mr. Ray was born 50 years ago on his
fathers farm near Kensington. His
father Alfred Ray. was native of the
District of Columbia but moved to
Montgomery County during the Civil
War and was recognized as one of the
successful farmers of the county. His
mother was Eleanor Merryman Catch
of Baltimore County.
Mr.. Ray was educated at Columbian
College, later changed to George Wash
ington University, and Catholic Uni
varsity, where he studied law.
Entered Law Practice.
Following his graduation, he entered
into the practice Of law in Washington
and Montgomery County In partnership
with Arthur Peter.
While engaged in active practice, he
found time to take an interest in public
affairs and held a number of positions
OF Importance. In 1903 he represented
the county in the Maryland House of
Delegates and was the ranking member
Of the judiciary Committee He was a
delegate to several Democratic State
conventions and for a number of years
was member Of the Democratic State
Central Committee for Montgomery
County. While living in Kensington
he was attorney to the mayor and coun-
Gil of that town.
In 1914 John L. Burnett, then clerk
Of the Circuit Court, died, and Mr. Ray
was appointed by the judges to succeed
him The following November he was
elected to full term of six years and
has been reelected six times since
Prominent in Lodges.
He was a member of the Masonic
Lodge of Kensington, the Sons Of the
American Revolution, the Spanish War
Veterans, the alumni associations of
George Washington and Catholic Uni
versities, and the Maryland and Dis
trict of Columbia Bar Associations.
During the World War. he served as
chairman Of the County Red Cross
chapter and was a member of the local
draft board. In 1893 he volunteered
for the Spanish-American War and was
corporal with Company K, LIST Mary
land Infantry
Services viii be held at the resi-
dence tomorrow afternoon at o'clock
and interment will be in the Gienwood
Cemetery, Washington.
Surviving him are his widow, Mrs.
Nancy Ray, before her marriage Miss
Nancy Calvert Schuermann: a son.
Preston B. Ray. ir.; a daughter, Janet
Calvert Ray. 13 years old; three broth
ers. Alfred Ray Of Kensington, Bentcn
@. Ray Of Happy Greek. Va, and Cor
don c. Ray of Mount Rainier, Md. and
four sisters. Mrs E. r. Saul and Mrs
Annie r. Thomson of Washington. Mrs
Clara r. Wilson Of Rockville and Mrs
Eleanor Maughlin Of Boyds
The services will be conducted by
Rev. Willard F Minnick rector Of
Christ Episcopal Church. Rockville. as
sisted by Rev. Clifton K. Ray, pastor