Tuffy N. Fatman is known to family and friends as Ray. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware and educated in the Wilmington public school system until the 11th grade. Ray transferred to John F. Kennedy High School in Willingboro, NJ., where he excelled in football and track and field. After graduation, he attended Rider College in Lawrenceville, NJ, on a track and field scholarship. After college, he was employed by the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections for 26 years. During those years, he coached youth football, basketball, track and field, and high school track and field at Concord High School in Wilmington, Delaware.