In 1999 WQED recognized Ray for his work fostering and promoting the arts and artists of the region. He was awarded the Pittsburgh Public Television WQED VITA Award and was highlighted on WQED public television. In 1986 he won the Grumbacher Bronze Medal from the Washington and Jefferson College's National Painting Competition, and in 1987 he received a Commendation Citation from the House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his achievements as an artist and educator. Most Recently in 2000, he won the People's Choice Award at the Nemacolin Woodlands Invitational Art Exhibition and a purchase prize for a second of his entries in that show.

A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he has done post-graduate studies there and at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Carnegie Mellon University on Pittsburgh, Ohio State University and the Art Student's League of New York. He has recently retired from teaching at California University of Pennsylvania.

Ray's works are part of numerous private, public and corporate collections, including California University of PA, Washington and Jefferson College, Mount Mercy College, Sweetwater Arts Center, the former Bell of Pennsylvania, Westinghouse Corporation and the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.