Ray Martin Dula

Ray Martin Dula, 83, of Morganton, died Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Grace Heights Rehabilitation Center, where he was recovering from a recent fall.

He was born December 8, 1942, in Morganton, the youngest of nine children of Albert Tate Dula and Margaret Pearl Webb Dula. The family lived for several years on a farm off Piedmont Road.

He graduated from Morganton High School in 1961 and worked at Broughton Hospital, Romarco, and Inmont before retiring from BASF on Highway 70.

On February 26, 1965, he married Judith (Judy) Faye Kennedy. Judy, originally from Duplin County, came to Morganton as a young woman to work as a resident advisor at the North Carolina School for the Deaf. They were married for more than 61 years.

Ray was a member of Hartland Baptist Church for more than 50 years and, in his younger years, an active member of the Salem Ruritan Club. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and time spent with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; son and daughter-in-law Johnny Ray Dula and Nina Ruth Dula of Beaumont, Texas; grandsons Jeremy and his wife Julie, Jonathon and his wife Kristina, and James; great-grandchildren Alexander, Beatrix, and Molly; and brother Forrest.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings William, Clyde, Parks, James, Hazel, Lena, and Ruby.

Visitation will be from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, NC.

Committal Services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM inside Burke Memorial Park’s main chapel at 2506 Burke Memorial Park Rd, Morganton, NC.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.