Obituary

Danny Ray Ingram of Chesterfield, VA, known to most as Danny Ray, went home to be with the Lord on February 5th, 2025. Born on April 9, 1949, in Danville, VA, Danny Ray never met a stranger. He had the gift of conversation, making everyone feel at ease as if they had known him forever. His presence on this earth was truly a gift from God; you would be hard-pressed to find a sweeter, gentler man.

His generosity was unmatched; he would give the shirt off his back and the last dollar he had to someone in need. Danny Ray was one of the most selfless and humble individuals anyone could ever meet, but he was also quick to express his love for music, often saying, “Today’s music ain’t got the same soul he likes that old-time rock and roll”.

A believer from the very beginning, Danny Ray was raised in the church where his parents took him every week. He learned to play the piano by ear while sitting next to the church piano player, and when that individual left, Danny Ray took over. Coming from a musically talented family—his father was an accomplished guitar player—it was his mother’s footsteps that Danny Ray chose to follow. She had a voice like no other, and it was from her that he inherited his musical talent. She recorded several gospel albums, and Danny Ray went on to do the same.

In 1969, he recorded an album with the legendary gospel group The Ambassadors, contributing piano and backup vocals on their album “Sheltered in the Arms of God.” They were so impressed with his incredible voice that he was featured on track 5, singing lead vocals on “That’s Enough.”

In the early 1970s, Danny Ray pursued his dreams by moving to Nashville, TN, to test his luck in the music industry. An RCA agent offered him a card, expressing confidence in his potential. However, in typical Danny Ray fashion, he returned home to Virginia due to health issues with his father, as nothing was more important to him than family, with the exception of God.

Despite this setback, music was in his blood. Danny Ray formed the group Danny Ray & the Renegades, which played every Saturday at the VFW in Martinsville, VA, for nearly two decades. It was there that he met the girl of his dreams, Brenda Jo, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. He quickly became a local rock star, attracting musicians from miles around who clamored to join him on stage. In 1985, Danny Ray moved to Chesterfield, VA, but continued making the 3-hour drive back to Martinsville every Saturday for more than two years to perform, ensuring that the other band members still had a regular gig.

When he finally stopped that commute, he took a short break before joining a weekend band with colleagues, simply because he loved playing so much. In the mid-1990s, Danny Ray joined Webber Memorial Baptist Church and returned to his roots by becoming a part of the acclaimed local gospel group, the Webber Masters, alongside country music Hall of Famer Nick Hajacos and other talented musicians. They recorded several albums together, and Danny Ray became well-known throughout the Richmond area for his moving rendition of “Beulah Land.” The world has lost one of the best musical talents that has ever graced the earth, but an even more remarkable son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all! He will be missed by everyone who ever had the chance to meet him!

Danny Ray is survived by his wife, Brenda Ingram; son, Jason Ingram (Becky); sons, Brandon and Christian Ingram, whom he and Brenda loved, embraced and raised as their own from day one; granddaughter, Victoria Miller (Austin); sisters, Shelia Ingram and Bonnie Ingram; brother-in-law, Dale Linn; nieces, Jessica Weaver (Justin) and Jennifer Williams; nephew, Terry Linn Jr. (Kristie); several great-nieces and nephews; and a great-grandchild, Baby Miller, whom he was so excited to meet and will now hold before the rest of us, due in July 2025.

He is also fondly remembered by former band members who became like family: Eddie Scott, Jerry Stutz, Mack Davidson, and Robert Mawyer. The family is immensely grateful to Robert for calling him 2-3 times a week to chat and express his love; this meant the world to Danny Ray. His impact will be felt by all the lifelong friends he made along the way.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Ingram; father, James Ingram; grandmother, Elizabeth Hall; father-in-law, Joe Linn; mother-in-law, Betty Linn; granddaughter, Sarah Linn Ingram; uncle, Ronnie Ingram; brother-in-law, Terry Linn Sr.; sister-in-law, Wanda Linn; nephew, Derek DiGiovanni; nephew, Hunter Kelton; nephew, Justin Riggins; nephew, Joshua Riggins; and band members who became like family: Rick Branch, Tim Stegall, Doug Warner, Donnie Lord, Nick Hajacos, and Tommy Mallory.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Drew Marshall, a business partner of Christian’s, who has been staying at their home due to all the travel they do. Drew became Danny Ray’s own personal Power Ranger/Superhero, helping him tremendously with anything he needed while also providing wonderful conversation, becoming like another son to him.

A very special thank you goes to Logan, Melissa, Rogene, Ciara, and all the amazing staff at James River Hospice. You became Danny Ray’s buddies while providing him with the best care we could have ever asked for.

The family will have friends and family for viewing on February 12, 2025, at 11 AM, with the service immediately following at 12 PM at Morrissett Funeral Home, located at 6500 Iron Bridge Rd, Richmond, VA 23234.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Danny Ray’s final expenses at Morrissett Funeral Home or donating to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for the disease that took Danny Ray away from us.