Chowan University Athletics

Ray Felton was born in Gatesville, N.C. He graduated from Gates County public schools in 1964. After attending one semester at the NC State Pulp and Papermaking program he began working in the Technical department of Union Camp Papermill in 1965. 

In 1967 he married his classmate, Judy Hinton. In 1972 he started a backyard welding shop and then in 1974 he left Union Camp and became a partner in the Machine Shop of Murfreesboro in 1974. In 1984, he assumed 50% ownership of Machine Shop of Murfreesboro and became the full owner in 1994. In 1997, he formed Metal Technologies of Murfreesboro, Inc to increase bidding abilities.

Ray retired from Metal Tech in 2015 and left the management of the business to his children. Ray has always been a big supporter of Chowan and his community. He has served as a Board of Trustee member as well as being a very generous donor to Chowan University and Chowan Athletics. He has also served as Chairman of the Gates County School Board, a member of the Gates County EMS board and a past board member of the Hertford-Gates Health Dept. He has three sons: Joseph Wayne Felton of Raleigh, Civil Engineer and Chowan alumni his wife Becky Davis and children Sarah Tate and Davis; Edward Brock Felton wife Sheila and children Jessie Jolene and Luke of Eure, N.C.; and Kevin Len Felton, wife Melissa and children Kaycee and Dylan of Sacramento, Calif.