Obituary

James Ray Dorsett, much loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away June 6, 2026, surrounded by family.

Ray was born on February 3, 1940, in Detroit, MI to Mary Elizabeth and James Edward Dorsett. He spent his childhood in Memphis, TN, but most of this life he resided in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. Ray and Cathy developed a relationship while attending the Memphis State University music department and married February 22, 1963. For many of their 63 years of marriage they were ministers of music in various churches and members of First Baptist Atlanta, Mt. Paran Church of God, and Perimeter Church.

Born into a Christian family, Ray became a Christian at age five. He loved to tell stories about the Lord working in his life. He loved the Bible and memorized large portions of scripture. As a member of LA Fitness and a weekly men’s Bible study, he shared his faith with many wonderful friends. Also, for 17 years he led the worship for the Atlanta Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship.

The love of music has always been important to the Dorsett family. Ray’s grandmother was a graduate of the NY Juilliard School of Music and son, Tony, is an accomplished pianist. Ray’s grandson, Colin, loves his saxophone and multiple guitars.

Ray tells the story that when in high school, a band director told him that he didn’t have the talent to play an instrument in the band. However, the Lord gave him the talent to excel on the clarinet. He rose quickly from last chair to first chair in three months. Throughout his high school and college years, he was always first chair clarinet soloist in more than a half dozen bands and orchestras. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a major in music from Memphis State University. His first jobs were as band director, and many of his students became award winners in their college years. Being a band director was very fulfilling but lacking in salary, so Ray went back to Memphis State and obtained a Masters in Math. He then qualified for a computer analyst position with Southern Bell and was immediately transferred to Atlanta.

He owned his own company, Omega Data Systems, for 13 years. Then in the next 13 years, he was a Systems Analyst for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the state of Georgia. He developed and serviced the software for the Georgia Parks and Historic Sites. He loved working with the wonderful employees, and after he retired, he looked forward to seeing close friends every month.

Ray is survived by his wife Cathy Willis Dorsett and two children, Tony Dorsett and Becky Dorsett Davis (and husband Neal) and grandson, Colin. He is also survived by a brother, Dale Dorsett (and wife Barbara) of Memphis, TN. Ray will be greatly missed by all who knew him.