Ray Uptain

Alvin Ray Uptain, age 80, resident of Columbia, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023 at his residence.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 13th at 2:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home with Rick Points officiating.  Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19.  The family will visit with friends on Monday from 12:00 pm until the 2:00pm service hour at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ray was born August 3, 1942 in Columbia, Tennessee and was the son of the late John Wesley and Orell Bibb Uptain.  He served in the US Navy as a Seabee during Vietnam conflict and worked for Uptain Construction.  His passion was in health and weightlifting.  He owned and operated Magnum Gym in the 1970’s.  He boxed while in the Navy.  Ray was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed squirrel, rabbit, and deer hunting.  He also loved to farm owning farmland in Giles and Lewis counties.  He was known to always have a book in hand and attended Church of God Prophecy.  He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

He is survived by his sons, Clinton Uptain and Monty Uptain, both of Columbia; brothers, Wesley Uptain of Williamsport and Beal Uptain of Columbia; sister, Ruby Uptain (Melvin) Hindman of Lynnville, TN; niece, Dina (Mike) Daniels of Lynnville, TN; special friends, Andie Rhodes and Kay LeMay; and beloved dog, Tuck.

Along with his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Cole Uptain; daughter, Kimberly Kay Uptain; and siblings, David Uptain and Paula Uptain Chadwell.

Pallbearers will be Tim Napier, Randy Goodwin, Larry Sewell, Jeremy Taft, Tim Ramsey, and Timmy LeMay.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Brooks and Andy Harvey.