Story to be laid to rest today

See editorial tribute to Ray Story. Go to Opinion online.

Jill Pickett

Former North Hardin principal Ray Story speaks at a ceremony in January 2008 when the football stadium was named in his honor at North Hardin High School.

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By KELLY RICHARDSON krichardson@thenewsenterprise.com VINE GROVE — Family, friends and community members will reflect on Ray Story’s life today. And, as Story would have it, his funeral will feature a lot of singing. The Rev. K. Christian Burton, the Rev. Raymond Ward and Nannette Johnston, superintendent of Hardin County Schools, will share their memories of Ray Story at the service which begins at 4 p.m. today at Valley View Baptist Church. Story had a 38-year career as a teacher, principal, associate and deputy superintendent in Hardin County Schools. He died Monday at North Hardin Health and Rehabilitation Center in Radcliff. Burton, the officiant, said it was a struggle to pinpoint what it was he wanted to say. “There’s so much about Ray,” he said. One aspect all three plan to remember is his singing. He loved to sing, Burton said. “There’s something about people who like to sing," he said. "They make people happy.” Story participated in shows at Valley View and Ward, who often served as a substitute teacher, remembers one performance at North Hardin High School where Story ended a series of skits involving teachers with the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira,” a favorite of his. “And the school went wild,” Ward said. Johnston said it was common to hear Story singing in the hallways of North, where she was a student while he was principal. “Amazing Grace” was another popular tune to hear from him. Johnston plans to share how he encouraged her to go into teaching, when she was reluctant to attend college after high school. She also will speak about her joy at dedicating the NHHS football stadium as Ray Story Stadium in January. Burton said he wanted to share what he felt distinguished Story from others, which includes how he made others feel unique. “He always allowed you to do more than maybe you thought you were capable of doing,” which probably was why he was such a successful educator, he said. Ward also plans to talk about Story's faith. “He was a man who walked with God,” he said. Ward said a feast awaits Story in heaven that doesn’t follow the restrictions that Story had in life as a diabetic. In preparing his remarks, Burton said met with Story’s family and other community members, so he could reflect their feelings about Story as well. It wasn’t hard to find anecdotes about him. “Everybody has a story about Ray,” Burton said. The funeral will be videotaped and shown on HCEC-TV at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25, 27 and 29 and at 7 p.m. Aug. 26, 28 and 30. Kelly Richardson can be reached at (270) 505-1747.