Mr. Layman Ray Utsman, age 81, Johnson City, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2014 at the Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born in Sullivan County on May 5, 1933.

He was the son of the late John Layman Utsman and Mary Ruby Messimer Utsman. His wife, Loeda Palmer Utsman and one brother, Cecil Utsman, also preceded him in death.

Layman is survived by his three children, Rod Collins (Karen), Carrie Gunning (David) and Cathy Utsman (Randy Laws); seven grandchildren, Katie Britton (Scott), Tabitha Ferguson (Matt), Kaci Mango (Justin), AJ Smith (Renaldo), Heath Gunning, Cody Russell (Dawn Reece) and Chris Gunning; three brothers, Sherman Utsman, Gerald Utsman (Nancy), and John A. Utsman (Ann); two sisters, Dorothy Guinn (Jimmy) and Linda King (Dickey); and nine great-grandchildren, Mason, Seth and Laney Britton, Lily and Liam Mango, Jazlyn and Nehemiah Smith, Cameron Whitaker, Tyler Ferguson, and several nieces and nephews.

Layman was a devoted Christian man and was an active member of Boones Creek Christian Church. He loved racing and had a racing career that spanned from 1955 to 1978. He was retired from Harris Trucking but continued to work at the StockPot in Johnson City. In addition to his love of racing, he also loved to read and study his Bible and attended small groups and Sunday school class at BCCC. He is loved and will be missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at Boones Creek Christian Church on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the service beginning at 8:00 pm. The committal service will be Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 10:45 am at the VA. All are asked to please meet at the VA.

The family gives a very special thanks to all of the ICU nurses and personnel at the Johnson City Medical Center and to all of his doctors. The family is especially grateful to his church family for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Boones Creek Christian Church, 305 Christian Church Road, Johnson City, TN 37615, in his memory.