Ray Colton Vallery, 84, long time resident of Fayetteville, NC, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Ray was born May 16, 1942, to Colonel Joy K. Vallery and Bobbette Vallery in Lincoln, NE, while Colonel Vallery was defending his country in the South Pacific.

Ray lived many places during his father’s career, finally settling down in Fayetteville after completing undergraduate studies and law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and briefly practicing in Rocky Mount. He worked in the Fayetteville District Attorney’s office prior to joining the law firm of Downing, Downing, and Davis, where he eventually became a partner as the firm evolved to Downing, David, Vallery, Maxwell, and Hudson.

He opened his own private practice in 1985 and helped many people with real estate and family law. He always enjoyed his court appointed cases the most – when he could help those who might not have otherwise been able to obtain counsel. In 2011, Ray was inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association “Legal Practice Hall of Fame” for his outstanding service. He also offered decades of service to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, volunteering in every available service position over the years.

Ray remained a lifelong Tar Heel fan. One could not run into him wearing Tar Heel apparel without harking to his Tar Heel voice shouting, “Go Heels!” He was a competitive runner in his later years, proud to tell everyone (with a wink) that he always won his age category in the marathons he ran.

Ray was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Bobbie Joy Vallery; his father, Joy K. Vallery; mother, Bobbette Colton Vallery; first wife of 27 years, Marceline Broadfoot MacRae; and second wife of 34 years, Martha Walsh Vallery. Ray is survived by his brother and sister, Chris Edward Vallery (Elaine) and Cheri Vallery Bryan; his children, Julie Vallery Merrill (Greg), Ray Colton Vallery, Jr. (Cassandra), Carolyn Vallery Gore (Grant), and Elizabeth Vallery Fiocchi; his step sons, Djamal Zermani (Sarah), and Rachid Zermani (Isabel); as well as eight grandchildren: MacRae Colton Vallery, Alexander Duncan Miller, Robert Michael Miller, Mary Mattison Vallery, Vallery Hesketh Gore, Hatten Samuel Gore, Stella Mae Zermani, and Olivia Zermani. Memorial service details will be available at www.RHFR.com when finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to an Alzheimer's Disease research organization of your choice.