In Loving Memory of Raymond Charles Coday, Jr - "Ray Lincoln" - but I just called him Daddy
Raymond Charles Coday, Jr. “Ray Lincoln”, age 64, of North Little Rock died at his home, Monday, September 18, 2006. Born on March 6, 1942 in Dallas, Texas, he was the son of the late Raymond Charles Coday, Sr. and Veronica Jones Coday. A well know radio personality, Ray began his radio career in Roswell, New Mexico and later worked for numerous stations including powerhouses such as WBAP in Fort Worth, WNOE in New Orleans, WOAI, San Antonio, KKYK-FM and KAAY in Little Rock. Lincoln with his guns-a-blazing, no nonsense personality dominated the Little Rock radio market in the 70’s with his Ray and Ram program on KKYK-FM. In addition to himself he also did the voice of mythical character, Ram Led, a crusty, West Texas cowboy who often exhibited outrageous speech and behavior.
On two separate occasions, Lincoln worked at KAAY in Little Rock as morning drive time DJ and Program Director. This was near the end of the AM station’s market dominance with its Top 40 format. Between stints at radio stations, Lincoln worked for companies doing record promotions.
In 1983 he returned to Little Rock as afternoon talk show host at KARN. With the exception of a six year hiatus to live in Dallas and one year at Talk 103.7 across town, Lincoln finished his on-air career at KARN in 2000.
In addition to creating Ram Led, Lincoln developed another imaginary character he named Sport Jackson, a black, horse race tout. He voiced this character in a dialect, which came naturally to him considering he grew up in predominately black East Dallas. Though the lovable character was a charade, his passion for horseracing and handicapping was legendary. Ray was one of the most knowledgeable handicappers in the nation.
Lincoln served two tours of duty in the United States Military, one as a Marine and one in the United States Army. His foreign stations included Germany and Vietnam.
He is survived by his “British Born Bride” Maxine. Ray has two daughters, Alesia Coday, Angelia Hernandez and husband Christopher, and stepson Christian Cole and wife Janet, stepdaughter Melissa Zandevakili and her husband Hamid. He has 6 grandchildren, Brittan, Meagan, Abigail Sara, Darian, Alexander Samuel, Emilie and Raymond due in November. He has two sisters, Bernadine Jones and Joanne Giles; one nephew and many nieces.
Those closest to Ray Lincoln use a number of words to describe him…Strong, intense, passionate, loyal, talented, humorous and driven. All would agree he owned one of the fastest, most brilliant minds ever to perform on the airwaves of central Arkansas.
On two separate occasions, Lincoln worked at KAAY in Little Rock as morning drive time DJ and Program Director. This was near the end of the AM station’s market dominance with its Top 40 format. Between stints at radio stations, Lincoln worked for companies doing record promotions.
In 1983 he returned to Little Rock as afternoon talk show host at KARN. With the exception of a six year hiatus to live in Dallas and one year at Talk 103.7 across town, Lincoln finished his on-air career at KARN in 2000.
In addition to creating Ram Led, Lincoln developed another imaginary character he named Sport Jackson, a black, horse race tout. He voiced this character in a dialect, which came naturally to him considering he grew up in predominately black East Dallas. Though the lovable character was a charade, his passion for horseracing and handicapping was legendary. Ray was one of the most knowledgeable handicappers in the nation.
Lincoln served two tours of duty in the United States Military, one as a Marine and one in the United States Army. His foreign stations included Germany and Vietnam.
He is survived by his “British Born Bride” Maxine. Ray has two daughters, Alesia Coday, Angelia Hernandez and husband Christopher, and stepson Christian Cole and wife Janet, stepdaughter Melissa Zandevakili and her husband Hamid. He has 6 grandchildren, Brittan, Meagan, Abigail Sara, Darian, Alexander Samuel, Emilie and Raymond due in November. He has two sisters, Bernadine Jones and Joanne Giles; one nephew and many nieces.
Those closest to Ray Lincoln use a number of words to describe him…Strong, intense, passionate, loyal, talented, humorous and driven. All would agree he owned one of the fastest, most brilliant minds ever to perform on the airwaves of central Arkansas.