John Ray was born in Washington, North Carolina to Betty Jean and R.D. “Dick” Ray, a banker. At the age of twelve he worked on shrimp boats every summer and unloaded crab trucks at a processing plant after school. He graduated from East Carolina University with BA English. After college he had an eclectic career working in the banking, commercial fishing, and merchant maritime industries. He has sailed from the U.S. to Eastern Europe and all throughout the Caribbean. In addition, he is a multi-genre screenwriter, has directing experience in the independent film industry, and is a new grandfather.