Jonathan McCray was born in St. Stephen, South Carolina on July 10, 1948, the first of eleven children of Lillie Bell Montgomery McCray Myers Perry. After graduating from Russellville High School in St. Stephen, SC, he joined the United States Army, serving honorably, first in Vicenza, Italy and then in Vietnam. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his Master's Degree from Antioch University. Jonathan spent the early years of his post-military career as an entrepreneur in Philadelphia, creating a thriving ice cream business. He returned to his native Berkeley County, South Carolina in the mid 1980s, quickly achieving success as a businessman and as a political campaign manager. He then went on to manage transportation systems. As the Executive Director of Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority in Florence, South Carolina for seven years, he managed a public transportation system serving fifteen counties. Upon the tragic and untimely demise of his sons, Akwesi and Wadi, from a head-on automobile collision in 2002, Jonathan channeled his grief into a nobler cause by founding a non-profit organization, The Aki-Wa Foundation, Inc. - STED, with a mission to promote highway Safety Through Engineering and Design. Jonathan was a man of many talents. He had a keen intellect and a unique vision, never devoid of innovative ideas. His encyclopedic knowledge was nurtured by his passion for reading since a very young age. He was an artisan and a builder with a special love for woodwork. Jonathan worked tirelessly with his own hands to transform his commercial building in Strawberry-Moncks Corner into a fitting venue for community and church gatherings. He enjoyed tennis, golf, a walk in the woods, jazz and oldies, especially the music of Al Green. Jonathan was a caring, compassionate and generous person who always looked out for others before himself. In recent years, he decided to give back to the community by recognizing the senior citizens of Berkeley County through biannual dinners at his building. He also hosted free gospel concerts at the building to provide an uplifting spiritual and musical experience to all in attendance. Jonathan believed in the universal goodness of humankind and had a sincere appreciation of all cultures and religions. He was a deeply spiritual man, a loving husband and a devoted father. In March 2012, he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), a progressive, degenerative neurological disease with no known cure or treatment. As a true warrior, he refused to entertain the thought of giving up, fighting until the very end. On the morning of December 14, 2012, in his sleep at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, Jonathan slipped peacefully into eternal rest. He is survived by his loving wife, Latika Bali; his beloved, six-year old daughter, Jiya Mila Bali McCray; his mother; seven siblings, most notably his brother, Thomas "Curt" McCray; an aunt, Daisy Montgomery Wright and a very special aunt, Florine Cooper Manigault. Known affectionately as "Bubba", "Mac", Mr. Scoops", and "Short Stop", he will be dearly missed by a host of family and friends. To view completed funeral arrangements, please click on 'SERVICE SCHEDULE' tab. To leave a memorial message for the family, please click on 'SIGN GUESTBOOK' tab. Thank you!