Ray Howard Messer, 70, of Madison died June 20, 2012 surrounded by his family. He was born in Waynesville, North Carolina on June 14, 1942. He was the son of Deward Ray Messer and Randy Jenkins Messer.  Mr. Messer served in the Army National Guard. He was retired from Minit Check Food Stores, where he maintained equipment. He will be remembered as a man that could fix anything. He was always willing to use his talent to help others. He enjoyed fishing and cooking barbecue but he loved spending time with his family.
Mr. Messer is survived by his wife Jackie Peters Messer and their children, Johnny Ray Messer and Penny, Sylvia Moon and Jim and Heather Gardner and Gus; grandchildren J.R. Messer, Katelyn Messer, Jay Moon, Hunter Moon, Landon Gardner and Andrew Gardner; two sisters, Judy Smith and Carolyn Phelps and Jerry and a brother, Bill Messer and Julie.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The funeral service was held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of A. E. Carter Funeral Home. Interment followed at Prospect Cemetery. Rev. Wayne Ghann officiated.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home had care of arrangements.

Printed in the June 28, 2012 edition