Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Harold “Bob” Bray, age 81

Harold “Bob” Bray, 81, of North Little Rock passed away on December 9, 2019.  He was born in Dumas, Arkansas on January 20, 1938. 

He served proudly in the United States Air Force before coming home and becoming a Radio disc jockey at KBBA in Benton and then at KXLR in Little Rock. He was a TV weatherman and reporter for THV 11 Little Rock for 35 years.  Bob was the co-host of Arkansas AM with Bob Hicks. His love of gardening gave him the opportunity to host The Weekend Gardner.  He loved all sports, watching old TV shows and anything that came on TV. He attended and was a member of Sylvan Hills Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his mother Rene Defoe; his father Charlie Bray and step-father Melvin Martin.

Bob leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Wanda Bray.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. with the funeral on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, 117 West Maryland Avenue, Sherwood, Arkansas.  Burial will be at Arkansas Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Family asks all donations to be made to Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, 117 West Maryland Avenue, Sherwood, Arkansas.

Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas.  501-982-3400

Link to Video

You can view the tribute video by clicking the link below:
 

 

19 Comments

  • Bob McGhee Posted December 11, 2019 12:22 PM

    My sincere condolences to the family. I fondly remember Bob from his time at KXLR through his illustrious career at KTHV. His easy-going presentation, style and familiarity made thousands of fellow Arkansans feel as if we knew him. Rest in peace in God’s arms, Bob.

  • Charles Harshaw Posted December 12, 2019 12:18 AM

    I worked with Bob at KTHV Channel 11 for a lot of years. One of my true friends. Wanda you had a very loving husband and God loved him even more. He will be missed by many……Charles

  • Peggy Seamon Posted December 12, 2019 5:53 AM

    Wanda, I am so sorry. I will always remember Bob and the Arkansas Glasshoppers glass club and knowing you both there. I also loved watching him on TV and always enjoyed the great food you both made for our meetings. He was a wonderful guy and we all love you both.

  • Carol Marvin Posted December 12, 2019 8:11 AM

    I’m so very sorry to hear of the passing of Bob. I worked with him at KTHV many years ago and was his photographer on the Weekend Gardner and farm stories. He was a wonderful person and inspiring person!!! I’ll always remember our adventures! May he Rest In Peace…..

  • david carpenter Posted December 12, 2019 9:24 AM

    Sorry to hear of Harold’s passing. We went to school together in Dumas. Knew him before he became Bob.

  • Kim Robertson Smith Posted December 12, 2019 10:50 AM

    Bob was always so sweet and kind.
    Much love and many prayers Wanda.

  • Scarlett Morgan Posted December 12, 2019 11:09 AM

    I worked with Bob for several years at KTHV. What a wonderful and kind man. I am so sorry
    for your loss. Many prayers and much love.

  • Ron Skaggs Posted December 12, 2019 12:17 PM

    Wanda I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you

  • J. Craig Barnes Posted December 12, 2019 12:44 PM

    I’m saddened to learn of Bob Bray’s death. He was a wonderful broadcaster and a lovely man. It was a pleasure to work with him, and an honor to be his friend. RIP.

  • Seabe Gavin Jr. Posted December 12, 2019 1:34 PM

    Bob Bray, was a true friend. Awesome gentleman to work with, we worked together at KTHV-11 Action News. He was the best.

  • Oran Hardcastle Posted December 12, 2019 2:59 PM

    I’m so sorry to hear about Bob’s loss Wanda. Bob and I traveled all over this state telling stories and all of it was a pleasure. Bob was always an enjoy to work with and just to be around. I can’t start to tell you how many reporters I worked with over the years but I can tell you for sure, Bob was the only one who could consistently record his audio in one take, that always amazed me. After all the miles and all our conversations, I can also tell you for sure that you were the apple of his eye. I can vividly remember walking Bob out to his car on his last day at Channel 11 and then life took us our separate ways. I have missed him ever since. We hurt with you.

  • Audrey Burtrum-Stanley Posted December 12, 2019 4:36 PM

    One after, not too long ago, I was searching for a ‘lost treasure’ at a dusty estate sale. Suddenly, a familiar voice asked me about green, cube-pattern Depression glass. I KNEW THE VOICE! It was dear Bob Bray of KTHV. When I looked up, a smile-of-recognition bloomed. He knew me from AETN ( PBS TV) We were immediate friends from then onward. The best stories were always shared and typically ended in laughter or awe. Arkies trusted and adored him – welcoming Bob Bray into their homes through television; And, they would have flung open their front-doors to bid him a joyful entry too.
    May all his family and friends know their lives were blessed with by this sterling gentleman. Bob Bray will not be forgotten. He surely awaits their arrival to join him and the angels, as well as The Almighty, beyond Heaven’s gates.

  • Lucy Himstedt Posted December 12, 2019 6:13 PM

    Wanda, my heart hurts so much for you! Growing up I loved watching Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Bob Bray on Channel 11. When I started work at KTHV, I was so excited and told “Mr. Bray” how happy I was to work with him. He told me we were co-workers and to call him Bob. I felt so grown up!! I loved every minute spent with him. I haven’t seen you in many, many years, but have never forgotten the two of you.

  • Aileene Parks Posted December 12, 2019 6:21 PM

    Bob was a great man and a loving husband to Wanda.

  • Sandy (Finkbeiner) Roycraft Posted December 12, 2019 7:11 PM

    Mrs. Bray, I came to KTHV as an intern during my freshman year in college. I worked with Bob and helped produce the noon show. I was so thrilled to be in a real newsroom, and working with Bob Bray after watching him for so many years! He was the kindest man. Never saw him get rattled about anything. He was always willing to answer my questions and he told me “thank you” after each show when I ran the teleprompter for him. I join my former co-workers and friends in saying how sorry I am for your loss. Bob will be missed.

  • Rondell “ RON “ HARRISON Posted December 12, 2019 7:51 PM

    1961, BOB AND I WERE ON AIR DISC JOCKS AT KXLR, UPSTAIRS OVER THE OLE COTTON BELT BUILDING AT THE FOOT OF THE OLD BROADWAY BRIDGE. HE FROM DUMAS AND I FROM FORDYCE, WERE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. 8A FOOTBALL RIVALS ALL THE 1950’s. I AM SADDEN TO LEARN OF HIS PASSING, BUT, WITH FOND MEMORIES OF OUR FRIENDSHIP. RIP “ BOB “

  • Deresa Jackson Posted December 12, 2019 9:06 PM

    Wanda, I’m so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I hate that I couldn’t make visitation or the funeral. Mark & I are out of town. Please know you are in my thoughts & prayers. Love you! Deresa

  • Keith Rateliff Posted December 13, 2019 5:49 AM

    Lord thank you for putting a man like Bob in my path of life.

  • John Harding Posted December 13, 2019 3:35 PM

    One of the greatest highlights of my broadcasting career was to work with the wonderful Bob Bray. I grew up watching Bob as a child in rural Arkansas. Then, in the late 90’s I was blessed to work along side him as an anchor/reporter at KTHV. He was genuinely one of the kindest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. His gentle, caring demeanor was extended to everyone… even a newbie who was trying to learn the ropes. Bob was a light, a level head and a class act in a business that desperately needs those qualities. I appreciate you Bob Bray.. and knowing the life you lived, I will see you again in Heaven.

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