Ray grew up in Westbury, Long Island, New York. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary and Chaminda High School. After graduation from high school he entered the United States Air Force. Upon discharge he then attended Northern Michigan University where he attended on a football scholarship. After college he fulfilled his boyhood dream of becoming a special agent in the United States Secret Service, He served as a protective agent and a criminal investigator. He then launched a business career as an executive with The Coca-Cola Company before being named as chief operating officer of The Muscle Shoals Entertainment Company.. Single, he has two adult daughters and six grandchildren. His grandaughter Kylee plays professional volleyball and Buddy is his rescue dog.