Ricky Ray Will Be Remembered For Awareness He Brought To Aids

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ricky Ray's parents said the oldest of their three AIDS-infected sons wanted to be remembered in death for the awareness he raised about the disease during his short life.

The 15-year-old boy, the eldest of three hemophiliac brothers barred from school in 1986 because they carried the AIDS virus, died early yesterday.

"He wanted people to understand that AIDS is not just this word that happens to somebody else - it can happen to everybody," Louise Ray said after her son's death at their home in Orlando.

At a news conference yesterday at their lawyer's office in Sarasota, the boy's father said his son had accomplished what he wanted to do. "He won his battle, and he's gone to a better place," Clifford Ray said.

Ricky and his two brothers - Robert, 14, and Randy, 13 - are believed to have contracted the AIDS virus from tainted blood products used to treat their hemophilia.

The family sued the DeSoto County School Board when the boys were barred from school in Arcadia. A federal judge in 1987 ordered the brothers back to class. The ruling sparked community protests. At the end of the first week of school, the Rays' home was destroyed by an arsonist. The family fled 60 miles northwest to Sarasota, where they were welcomed. They lived there until recently relocating to Orlando.

In recent years, Ricky became the most visible of the family, first because of his short-lived engagement to a teen-aged sweetheart, then from his sickbed as an outspoken advocate for AIDS treatment.

President-elect Clinton called him in the hospital Nov. 7 to wish him well and invite him to his inauguration. Ricky told Clinton that people with AIDS need more help. Clinton promised he'd do whatever he could.

Ricky had been in and out of All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg for months with pneumonia, infections and eye problems. He left there the day before Thanksgiving, saying he wanted to be home for the holidays.

His health rapidly deteriorated a week after Thanksgiving, and Ricky fell into a coma several days ago.

His death was due to multiple organ failure, doctors said.

Ricky's brothers show no symptoms. Their sister, 11-year-old Candy, is not infected with HIV, the AIDS virus.

The family agreed to a $1 million settlement in 1991 with pharmaceutical companies that manufacture blood products.

Mrs. Ray said the family will continue Ricky's efforts to educate others about AIDS and fight for a cure.

"I still have two other boys that, God forbid, may have to go through this and I want to give them the best quality of life we can give them," she said.

The funeral will be Friday in Sarasota.