VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Hampton Roads football community is mourning the loss of a beloved mentor, coach and friend after Ray Colston, known to most simply as "Coach Ray," died Sunday at just 41 years old.

Colston, who spent his last season coaching at Kempsville High School, is being remembered not only for his football knowledge, but for the way he shaped young men far beyond the field.

“For decades, Coach Ray Colston wasn’t just building football players in our community — he was building people,” Kempsville assistant coach and close friend Daryl Cherry said. “Ray was a good guy… just a good guy with a heart for young people.”

Colston’s sudden death came after unexpected health complications, leaving former players, colleagues and families across Norfolk and Virginia Beach stunned

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