Ray graduated from the Memphis Academy of Art in 1968 with a degree in advertising design and painting.  Upon graduating, he worked as an art director for several advertising agencies in both Nashville, Tennessee and Columbus, Mississippi.

Later, in 1973 Ray opened a photographic studio in Columbus that focused on portraits and weddings.  During the next four years his studio received several awards for photographic excellence.

Ray then went to work for NASA as the Director of Graphic Engineering at Hayes International in Huntsville, Alabama.  In Hayes he worked on many projects for the space program, including photography, graphic illustration, and model building.

Bio Continued ...

The bulk of his work experience has been as the Director of Arts and Crafts for both the United States Army and the Air Force.

Since his retirement Ray supported and aided in my artwork, he glazed, fired, and shipped pottery, while pursuing his own love of painting.  He thrived on helping young artists in the pursuit of their art education, being a positive and supportive influence.  A direct result of his dedication to our youth is an annual $250 grant for upcoming artist at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Ray Fielder passed away on November 2nd, 2013.  He is greatly missed by Mark our son, and me.

____________________________________________________________________________