Mr. Johnny Ray Earley, age 77, of Cedartown, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012. He was born March 11, 1935 in Polk County; the son of the late Mr. William Bryant Earley and Mrs. Ethel Benefield Earley.

Johnny Ray Earley was a veteran of the United States Army. He owned and operated a construction company for more than 30 years developing and building homes for Polk County families. He was on the committee that established the Polk County Water Authority and served on the first Polk County Planning and Zoning Commission. Upon retirement from the construction industry, Johnny Ray was able to spend more time with his family and enjoy becoming a full-time cattle farmer.
He was a long-time Blue Lodge Mason and Shriner.

Johnny Ray is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dora Mae Rampley Earley; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Johnny Hardin; sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Judi Earley, Randy and Janet Earley; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Russell Kirkpatrick; brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Teri Morgan; brother, Tommy Earley. Also surviving are grandchildren, Brandy Puckett, Kara Klemke, Dustin Clay, Mitchell Earley, Bryant Earley, Braydon Earley, Seth Earley and Corey Bradshaw; great-grandchildren, Jordan Adams, Heaven Klemke, Ariana Klemke, Peyton Clay, Joseph Puckett, Blayke Earley, Brock Earley, Ansley Bradshaw and Ava Jane Earley.

Johnny Ray is preceded in death by his beloved grandson of 23 years, Bronson Ray Clay; his parents; brother, Jerry Earley; sisters, Ann Spencer and Faye Morgan.

The funeral arrangements for Johnny Ray Earley will be conducted on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at four o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Dr. Steve Fetkenhour officiating and Mr. Tony Morgan delivering the eulogy including memories by Mr. Billy Croker. Interment will follow in the Polk Memory Gardens.

The family of Johnny Ray Earley will receive family and friends on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 from two o'clock until the funeral hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.

The following gentlemen have been asked to serve as pallbearers; Dustin Clay, Mitchell Earley, Bryant Earley, Seth Earley, Braydon Earley, Kurtis Klemke and Corey Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Croker, Tommy McElwee, Pat Casey, Dennis Floyd, Wendell Floyd, Charlie Van Swafford and in loving memory Johnny Ray's grandson, Bronson Ray Clay.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mr. Johnny Ray Earley.