Ray Alex Eads, 77, of Chester, VA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Ray was born in Kingsport, TN on September 17, 1948.

He was a graduate of Gate City High School in Gate City, VA. Ray joined the US Army in 1967 and proudly served with the 9th Infantry Division during TET 68 in Vietnam, for which he received a Purple Heart in March of 1968. He became a career military guy spending over 26 years between the US Army and as a full-time recruiter for the Virginia Army National Guard. He had a deep love for our country and our military. After retirement, he opened a used car dealership which he successfully ran for 28 years with his two sons.

Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Carol Eads; parents, Ray Abner Eads and Almira Blair; and his sister, Doris Daughton.

He is survived by his two sons, Matthew Eads (Stefanie) of Edgewater, FL, and Andrew Eads (Mary) of Colonial Heights, VA; grandson, Zachary Eads of Edgewater, FL; brother, Sam Eads of Gate City, VA; sister, Kim Eads of Kingsport, TN; and a host of nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ray’s honor to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.