Johnny Ray is a life-long Mid-South area resident.  A 1985 graduate of Marshall Academy in Holly Springs, Mississippi, he played collegiately at Northwest Mississippi Community College and Delta State University.  He is a 2010 inductee into the NWCC Athletics Hall of Fame and a 2020 inductee into the Mississippi Junior College Athletics Hall of Fame.

After his college career, Ray pitched five years in the Cincinnati Reds organization, leading the entire system in wins in 1991.  Advanced to the AA level where a shoulder injury ended his career in 1993. Had an overall 49-28 record in professional baseball

After his playing career, Ray has coached at the Travel Ball, High School, College and Junior College levels.  As Head Coach at Southwest Tennessee Community College his squad won the Tennessee Junior College Athletic Association Region Championship in 2004.  That squad set the school record for wins (40) and won the only region championship in the schools 50-year history. Also has coached at Marshall Academy and Lambuth University, as well as the Memphis Tigers, Memphis Travelers and Dulins Dodgers organization.

Since 2011 Ray has been the Director of Baseball and Tournament Director at USA Stadium: first with the City of Millington and now with Upper Deck Sports and Perfect Game MidSouth.