Ray M. Harlin Jr., 72, passed away at home surround ed by his family on October 28, 2022. Ray faced cancer with optimism and perseverance with Carolyn, his loving wife of nearly 50 years, by his side.

Ray was born M arch 19, 1950, in Martinsville, VA. A fter graduating from Brandywine High School in Wilmington Delaware, Ray attend ed the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studied accounting a nd graduated cum laude in 1972.

Following college, Ray and Carolyn, newly married, moved to Chattanooga where Ray began a 25-year career at Arthur Andersen, ultimate ly becoming managing partner of the Chattanooga office. Ray joined US Xpress in 1998 as CFO and Executive V ice President. He was P resident a nd CFO when he retired in 2015.

Ray's retirement was short-lived which came as no surprise to those who knew him well. Most recently Ray was a financial consultant for Santek in Cl eveland, Tennessee. He served on the boards of Smith Transport in Roar ing Spring, Pennsylvania and US Lime & Minerals, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed public c ompany headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Well-liked and respected, generous personally and professionally, Ra y was always willing to help people in his area of expe rtise right up to the very end.

Ray was an avid golfer and a member of The Honors Course and Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

Ray had a warm smile, an infectious laugh, and a twinkle in his eye. He l oved golf, Jack Daniels, Fridays, driveway walks and balancing objects on his head to make his granddaughters laugh.

Ray was known to repeat a handful of "wise" phrases so often that his daughter and granddaughters could say them along with him. Some of his favorites were; "It's always better in the morning," "You learn something new every day," and "Mac n' Cheese is my favorite vegetable."

Ray was preceded in death by his parents , Ray M. Harlin Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Foster Harlin and his brother , Raymond Joseph Harlin .

Ray is survived by his wife , Carolyn Cantera Harlin , daughter , Lynn Harlin Shelton (Jason), granddaughters , Carolina Elizabeth Kelley, Merritt Isabella Kelley, and Evelyn Grace Shelton, sister, Lisa Wagoner (Jerry), brother, Daniel Harlin (Tina), nephew , Christopher Wagoner (Catherine), niece , Amy Dean (Bobby), many cousins and other extended family.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home on Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm .

A Graveside service will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery in Chattanooga Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11:00am .

In lieu of flowers, consider contributing to a cause that matters to you. Or p lay a round of golf, have a drink with friends, make your grandchildren giggle and most importantly , live life fully, have fun and be kind. That would make Ray smile.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343 . 423-531-3975 .