Darryl Ray Durham

Darryl Ray Durham, 66, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born April 25, 1957, to Richard M. Durham and Lucille Johns Durham in Danville, Kentucky. The family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, when Ray was four years old. Ray married Kathy Mattingly in July 1986. They had two girls, Lacey Marie and Morgan Michelle. Kathy and Ray later divorced, but Ray always had an active role in his daughters' lives.
Ray joined the United States Army in 1975, and served until 1978. He took a job with Toyota Motors in Georgetown, Kentucky, and retired in 2014. After living in Louisville for most of his life, he decided it was time to make a change, and in 2015, he bought a small farm property in Richmond, Kentucky, and began living his best life. Ray had many hobbies, the most passionate being fishing, woodworking, music, and his Case Knives collection. He was well known and loved by many, and he loved to share his talents and knowledge with others. He took a job at Woodcraft in Lexington, Kentucky, and taught many people the art of woodworking. He was a patient instructor, and helped many develop their own skills and talents with wood. Ray could be considered a Renaissance Man. He was well-versed on a wide variety of subjects, from fishing to the universe and everything in between. He had a brilliant mind, and loved to learn and share what he learned. Ray was tenacious. If he was interested in something, he worked and worked on it until he mastered it. He worked hard every day, and never gave up, even when life got rough. But Ray's biggest passion and love was his daughters, Lacey and Morgan, and his two granddaughters, Anastasia (Ana) and Macie. His world revolved around them, and he was their hero.
Ray is preceded in death by his father, Richard M. Durham, his younger brother, James Thomas (Jimmy), and his niece, Tiphanie Noel. He is survived by his daughters Lacey Durham and Morgan (Tristan) Duerson, his mother, Lucille J. Durham, his brothers, Dennis, Eddie (Terrie), Bruce, and Jonnie, his sisters, Patty (Chuck) Beckstead and Angela Booker, his granddaughters Ana and Macie, and eleven nieces and nephews.
A memorial is planned for Spring of 2024 at Falls of the Ohio. Details on this event will be announced at a later date. The family wishes to thank all of you who have shown your concern and love. We appreciate it very much.