DeSoto County lost one of its most patriotic residents this week with the passing of Rodney McCray at the age of 63. A DeSoto County native and president of his graduating class in 1969 at DeSoto County High School, Rodney served a tour of duty in Vietnam during that conflict, and told many stories of his time there. He had very strong convictions about the military, our country’s flag, and what being an American meant to him.

He spent many years playing recorded music for weddings and other social events, often calling himself “The Singing Deejay,” as he kept a supply of karaoke recordings in his musical collection, and loved to sing at gatherings. People often called on him to sing at the funerals of their loved ones, and he obliged them as often as he could. Two years ago, he sang at the funeral of Sgt. James Alley, whose remains were returned to his hometown, Arcadia, 38 years after he was killed in Vietnam. McCray loved country music and gospel music, and often sang in churches in our community.