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DANIEL BROWN RAY
SUNRISE MARCH 22, 1935 - SUNSET FEBRUARY 2, 2021
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Eleven Oclock in the Morning
JAMES BROWN ARENA
601 Seventh Street | Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Leila Palmer Brumfield, Eulogist
Abundant Life | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Reverend Carl L. Jones, Pastor - Presiding
Grace Street Church of Christ | Augusta, Georgia

DANIEL fiROWN DANNY RAY was the second son born to Willie and Lucy Ray on March 22, 1935, in
Birmingham, Alabama. A product of the Birmingham Public School System, he excelled in the arts graduating from
Ullman High School in 1955. After his required military training in the Army, he moved to New York, the place where
dreams are made. In 1958, he married the love of his life, Rosemarie Washington, who preceded him in death.
In 1961, he met the legendary James Brown at The Apollo Theater. Mr. Brown hired him as a personal valet. One night
during The James Brown Revue, the emcee was late for work and Mr. Brown immediately asked Mr. Ray to take on the
job. It was the first time Danny Ray ever graced a stage to introduce a famous artist in front of thousands of people.
That position as emcee, the original Hype Man, would propel Danny Ray to his next position as Cape Man. No other
artist would create such a stage persona as Mr. Brown did with his cape routine. During his performance of Please,
Please, Please, The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown, would drop to his knees with such passion to be draped with
the cape. There was an art to how Danny Ray would place the cape on the back of Mr. James Brown that only he could
do. Danny Ray knew exactly when to capture the moment; it became the highlight of the James Brown Show. It was
electrifying to see the showmanship of these two men that put the audience on its feet with screams of excitement and
awe. Danny Ray would do his historic routine for over forty-five years. No show in all of entertainment history could
match this artistry and never will..
After the passing of Mr. Brown in 2006, Mr. Ray would continue doing emcee work with Mr. Browns band The Soul
Generals, National Recording Jazz Artist Mr. Christian McBride, and Augustas own Mr. Tony Howard. He had a special
love for the students of The James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (JAMP). He enjoyed being around the students and
even participating in some of their shows by draping a cape over the lead singers. He always looked forward to seeing
JAMP perform.
Danny Ray loved people, he was always approachable and willing to take a picture or sign an autograph. His infectious
smile, loveable laughter, and sense of humor were unique. He was a kind gentleman that was dressed for success all the
time. He set the standards high in his appearance, his kindness, and his work ethic leaving a legacy of excellence for all
to follow. He was a member of Grace Street Church of Christ in Augusta, Georgia.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory: the matriarch of his family, aunt, Betty Upshaw, Detroit, Michigan; one
brother, Pastor Richard Lee (Vee) Ray, Clanton, Alabama; three sisters, Dr. Leila Palmer'Brumfield, Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina, Barbara Jean Ray, Boston, Massachusetts, and Lucy Earth, Boston, Massachusetts; special niece, Richjerlyn
Austin, Pleasant Grove, Alabama; devoted goddaughter and caregiver, Deanna Brown (Shawn) Thomas, Aiken, South
Carolina; twelve cousins; sixteen nieces and nephews; twenty-five great-nieces and nephews; forty-eight great-great-
nieces and nephews; one great-great-great-niece; one great-great-great-nephew; caregivers, Tony Jones, Joe Collier,
Deirdre Kitchens, and Taefa Ayers; many special friends and fans.
Musical Prelude
Processional...........................
Song of Hope........................:..
' flr 'mSr
Old Testament | Psalm 18:30-39.......0
New Testament | 2nd Corinthians 5:1-9..
Prayer of Comfort......................
Song of Celebration....................
Expressions of Love (Two Minutes Please)
Friend..........................
JB s Band and Caregiver..........
JAMP Alumni.....................
City of Augusta, Georgia and Friend
James Brown Family...............
Family..........................
Tribute................................
................Family of Daniel Brown Danny Ray,
James Brown Family, and James Brown Band Members
..........Mr. Derrick Monk
National Recording Artist
.............Minister Franharriett Harvey
Outreach Mission Ministry I Clanton, Alabama
. Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Rex Ray
Emmanuel Temple I Alabaster, Alabama
...........................Reverend Larry Fryer
Mulberry C.M.E. Church I Lincolnton, Georgia
Mr. Derrick Monk
......................................Mr. Tony Jones
......................................Mr. Joe Collier
...............................Ms. Samantha Johnson
.........................The Honorable Sean Frantom
Mayor Pro Tem | Augusta Commissioner, District #7
......Mrs. Deanna Brown Thomas
....Pastor Richard Lee Ray, Brother
............Reverend A1 Sharpton
President, National Action Network
A GLIMPSE OF DANIEL BROWN DANNY RAY
Acknowledgements
Song of Praise....
Eulogy............
Recessional.......
...........................Ms. Velice R. Cummings
................................Mr. Derrick Monk
...................Dr. Leila Palmer Brumfield, Sister
...............Family of Daniel Brown Danny Ray,
James Brown Family, and James Brown Band Members

WALKER MEMORIAL PARK
611 Laney Walker Boulevard Extension | Augusta, Georgia
Nephews and James Brown Band Members
Grace Street Church of Christ
Uncle danny, We Will miss you
We will miss you, we will miss your smile,
The laughter, phone calls, the cards you sent,
You never missed a birthday or holiday.
We will miss the history lessons you gave about the family;
also the jokes you told that kept us laughing.
You demonstrated and showed love to everyone you came in contact with.
You may have been small in stature, but you had a large heart.
You knew how to treat people.
Your style was so cool, everything in place from head to toe.
When you entered a room, you brought light and energy.
Just like the energized bunny you just kept on ticking.
You loved your family just as much as your friends and fans.
We will miss not just an uncle but a legend.
There will never be another great uncle, capeman in this life.
But, I thank God for placing you in our family. ~
WE LOVE YOU!
Your Niece, Denise Austin
The family of Daniel Brown Danny Ray is eternally grateful for the international condolences and loving kindness. A
heartfelt thank you to every person who was on program and came to the Celebration of Life Service. A special thanks to
his caregivers, because of your genuine love for Danny, you made it easier for us to say goodbye. Mr. Tony Jones, Mr. Joe
Collier, Ms. Deirdre Kitchens, Ms. Taefa Ayers, and Mrs. Deanna Brown Thomas. We would sincerely like to thank Pastor
Carl L. Jones and the Grace Street Church of Christ Family. May the grace of God bless and prosper the labor of your
hands.
Memorial contributions can be sent to JAMP (James Brown Academy of Musik Pupilsjat
WWW.JAMESBROWNFAMILYFDN.ORG or P.O. Box 635, Augusta, GA 30903 in honor of Danny Ray.
Augusta Blueprint | Austin Rhodes | C.A. Reid, Sr. Memorial Funeral Home | City of Augusta, Georgia | CoCo Rubio
Liquidsmoke Productions, LLC | Minnesota Fatz | Ms. Martha High | Meadows Media
Mr. & Mrs. Shawn (Deanna Brown) Thomas | Mr. William Foster | Quest Sound Productions, LLC
The James Brown Arena | The James Brown Family Foundation, Inc. | Tracer Audio
V.R. Cummings Consultants, Ms. Velice R. Cummings | Wife Saver Restaurant, North Leg Road, Augusta, GA
C. A. REID, SR. MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME
542 Laney Walker Boulevard | Augusta, Georgia | 706.724.7594
Printing/Design By: AUGUSTA BLUEPRINT | augustablue.com | 706.722.6488
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