Rayford Mason III

Rayford Mason III, 32, of Cookeville, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on August 1st, 2020 at Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio.  He was born on November 9th, 1987 in Fort Myers, Florida.  He was the beloved son and first born child of Raafeeq M. Ali and Lisa Marie Love.

Ray was a gifted and highly intelligent student who always excelled academically as a student at University of Central Florida. He was an awarded, all-star athlete during his years at Bishop Verot HS playing Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, and Lacrosse. His passion for sports was an omnipresence in his life and he was a walking sports encyclopedia and amateur ESPN sportscaster. He was a loyal Los Angeles Lakers fanatic and a super fan of his idol, Kobe Bryant. You could always catch Ray in a Kobe shirt or pair of Kobe shoes.

Ray was an adventurous soul that loved traveling, thrill-seeking, and was constantly seeking new experiences. He loved to cook, loved to eat, loved to be around friends and family, and loved music since birth. He will be remembered for his contagious laughter, infectious smile, and larger than life personality. Ray could make a friend of anyone and once you were his friend there is nothing he wouldn't do to make you smile or laugh.

Though he is gone much too soon, Ray's bright life and light will shine on eternally through all who know and love him and will keep his spirit alive for an eternity. He was a loving big brother and protector of his younger siblings, beloved son and grandson, loyal friend, and lover of life.

He is survived by his parents: Raafeeq M. Ali, whom he adored, and his loving mother, rock, and best friend: Lisa Marie Love; his baby sister, partner in crime and spiritual twin: Melissa Mason; his little half-siblings who thought the world of him and vice versa: Yasminah Ali, Yasriyah Ali, Tariq Ali and his adoring grandparents who were like his second set of parents: Tom and Janet Cali.

Just as Ray cared so dearly about helping others while he was alive so did he in his passing.  Through Ray's final gift of charity and unconditional love for all - Ray saved the lives of three different people through organ donation.  The impact his donation has made on the lives of those three individuals and their families will never be forgotten.  He will be forever remembered to them as a hero.