Phares R. "Rod" Ray, 85, of West Hempfield Township, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy. He was the husband of Jewel M. Jeffers Ray, with whom he celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 8, 2025. He was born in Mount Joy, son of the late Phares K. and Ethel Spangler Ray. Rod was a graduate of Hempfield High School, Class of 1958, he was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Mount Joy, was a manager at Elmer Musser's Excavation Company, and worked as a superintendent of East Hempfield Water Authority for 41 years before he retired in 2009.
Rod was a 25 year member of Mountville Fire Company, where he served as their building chairman. He was a member of Columbia-Middletown Elks #1074 for 35 years, the Columbia Masonic Lodge #286 F&AM for 62 years, a life member of Chickies Rock Lodge #307 of the Moose and he was also a member of numerous other social clubs. Rod loved spending time with his family and friends, hosting parties and family reunions at the Duck Shack. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends at Little Bear Lodge, State College. He loved being outside and often could be found splitting wood at the wood pile. Rod and Jewel enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and family and doting over their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife, two daughters: Cheryl L. (Charles S., Jr.) Broomell, East Petersburg and Ronda D. (Mark A.) Broomell, Millersville. Four grandchildren: Sarah (Daniel) Mann; Emily (David) Burnett; Paul (Melissa Class) Broomell and David (Karli Feaster) Broomell. Nine great-grandchildren: Daniel, Archer, Titus, Truett, Trinity, William, Eleanor, Wilson and Lenna. He was preceded in death by one infant brother: Eugene David Ray.
The Funeral Service will be held at Wheatland Presbyterian Church, 1125 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. with Pastor Luke LeDuc, officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. Interment in Silver Spring Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.