Mr. Ray Acuff

FORT MEADE - Mr. Ray Acuff, 80, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2020 in Lakeland, FL. Ray was born March 14, 1940 in Fort Meade, FL, where he remained a lifelong resident, and throughout the years became very involved in many of the organizations of Fort Meade. He graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1958, and soon after graduation, married his childhood sweetheart Joyce. Ray was very civic minded having served in the Jaycees, The Fort Meade Lions Club, the past President and current Co-Vice President of the Fort Meade Historical Society and a volunteer and current curator of the Fort Meade Historical Museum. Ray's real passion was working as a volunteer firefighter for the Fort Meade Fire Department for 52 years, and though had retired from fighting fires, he most recently served as the fire department chaplain. Ray had a very strong work ethic, and among his many civic and volunteer duties, he also worked for the Western Auto in Fort Meade from 1956-1986, and also was a sales representative for the Rotary Corporation for 22 years. One of his hobbies was traveling, having visited all 50 states and 12 foreign countries.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Phares H. and Beulah E. Hand Acuff; his brother, Bill Acuff; and his sister, Barbara Hancock.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce Hancock Acuff, Fort Meade, FL; daughters, Kathy Agner and husband Billy, Bartow, FL, and Laura Passanesi and husband Joe, Fort Meade, FL; three grandsons, Joseph Passanesi, Jordan Whatley and Clayton Passanesi; one granddaughter, Kathryne Agner; and one great-grandson, Abram Owen.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Highlands Church of Christ, 5730 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland, FL 33813. A Fireman’s Graveside Service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Hancock Cemetery, Hancock Cemetery Rd., Fort Meade, FL. For respect of the public attending the services, it is requested that masks be worn. Contributions may be made in Ray’s memory to the Hancock Cemetery Association, 620 N. Polk Ave., Fort Meade, FL 33841.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171