Ray Phifer

Ray Phifer, 83, of Paris, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his home on June 20, 2025. 

He was born in Benton County, Tennessee, to the late Finis and Georgia Webb Phifer.

Ray was a devoted husband to Norma Lowe Phifer for 40 years and a loving father to Melissa, Rick, Michael, and Ken. He was also a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren and a great-grandfather to one.

A graduate of Athens State University in Alabama, Ray dedicated his career to safety management, retiring from the Tennessee Valley Authority after nearly 25 years of service. Never one to sit still, following his retirement he founded his own safety consulting business.

 A U.S. Army veteran and a man of Baptist faith, Ray was known for his love of classic cars and boating on Kentucky Lake, where he could often be found listening to George Jones and Johnny Cash. His deep devotion to his family—especially his grandchildren—showed in quiet moments when he would slip you some money, sneak you an ice cream, or walk the halls of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and St. Jude when his grandson Nick was battling cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Norma; his children, Melissa Phifer of Collierville, TN, Rick Phifer (Jennie) of Clarksville, TN, Michael Phifer of New York City, NY, and Ken Morris (Melissa) of Phoenix, Arizona; his grandchildren, Nick Phifer, Jack Phifer, Jaiden Phifer, Katherine Dicus, Kennedy Jenkins, Piper Jenkins, Mason Roshell (Haley), Devin Morris (Angel), and Blake Morris (Shannon); and his great-grandchild, Robbie Morris. He is also survived by his brothers, Truman Phifer (Janice) and Doyle Phifer (Cathy), both of Big Sandy, TN; and his sister-in-law, Maxine Phifer, of Paris, TN.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Norma Gray; and his brothers, Harold Phifer and William Lee Phifer.

A visitation will be held at Ridgeway Funeral Home in Paris, Tennessee, on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and again on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 12:00 PM until the time of the service. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Ridgeway Funeral Home, officiated by Craig Peevyhouse. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will include Rick Phifer, Michael Phifer, Ken Morris, Nick Phifer, Jack Phifer, Devin Morris, and Blake Morris.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.