He was born on March 27, 1932, in Mancelona, the son of Sidney and Margaret (Sparks) Ray.

Hoop served in the United States Army with the 624th Transportation Company as a motor mechanic and received a National Defense Service Medal.

He was employed with Alexander-Stafford for over 40 years before he retired in Mancelona and he enjoyed working on cars and driving stock cars.

On Jan. 17, 1953, in Mancelona, he married Mildred B. Sherman, who preceded him in death on May 9, 2004. Also preceding him in death were his parents, his siblings, Matye Lakies, Oscar Meadows, Eleanore Hughey, Barbara Riddle, Rodger Ray and Lillian Moore.

Surviving are four children, Herbert Ray Jr., Debra (Bennie) DePeel, Margaret Hart and Valerie (Bill) Avery, all of Mancelona. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, two sisters, Many Lueck of California, Iris Haan of Grand Rapids and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Yousef ÒYogiÓ Jabara officiated. Visitation took place on Sunday, Feb. 11 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Interment will take place in the spring in Fairview Cemetery, Mancelona.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be given to the traveling nurses of hospice.