I can't believe Ray is gone. Every Christmas when I go home I walk by his house, wondering if he's home for the holidays too. I hadn't seen him since graduation but heard from Ced Plummer during the early 1990s that he was well and happy. I will miss you, Ray. You were one of the sweetest guys I knew.
I was surprised to see Ray had passed. He was one of my best friends growing up in elementary, Jr. high and through high school. Like most people we lost touch after high school. I remember meeting Ray for the first time in 4th grade at Marine View Elementary where he was the new kid and I was picked to show him around the school. He was a great and talented athlete but most of all he will always be remembered as my friend. REST IN PEACE RAY...
I REALLY AM SAD TO SEE THAT RAY IS GONE. I MET HIM AT MARINE VIEW AND LOST TRACK OF HIM AT HBHS. I REMEMBER HIM TRYING TO TEACH ME HOW TO SWING A GOLF CLUB AT MARINE VIEW FIELDS. HE WAS ALWAYS SUCH A SWEETHEART. I'LL MISS YOU.
I was shocked to hear that Ray had passed. I remember him from Marine View...and my freshman year at HBHS. He was so funny! All the things we (Ray, me, Carrie Hepner & whomever else @ our table) would do in Science class at Marine View to stir up a sub or Mr. Bjorkman. Hilarious. Thanks for the memories, Ray. Rest in peace...
Ray Ray Ray...shaking my head. Most everyone either loved him or hated him and some loved to hate him too. For me, I loved the big man and thought he'd always be there in and a part of my life - if anything just to torment me but in a great and loving - brotherly way. Most of us thought that NOTHING or NOBODY could ever hurt Ray, that a guy like Ray would live forever or definately outlive all of us. We shared a ton of things growing up as close buddies.
We grew up together from about 7 or 8 years old until the day he left. His parents & older brothers could be extremely hard on Ray and many nights he stayed at my house and even went on family outings and vacations w/ me. We were brothers in many ways and he was always welcome in our home. My mom and dad even called him as such well after our school years.
Ray was polite and respectful (I know it's hard to believe to some) in situations that warranted it (he did have the awareness to know when it was appropriate) and would always have my back no matter the situation or circumstances. Ray was very strong and loyal to many of us that were close to him and woe to those who ever crossed him or pissed him off. Heck, you couldn't even stand next to him long without him telling you to hit him or him hitting you or picking you up or messing with you in some way. You flinched just walking by him because he was always messing around that way - he loved it. Your strongest hits were love taps to him! (I know there's many smiles reading this)
I could say so many things and I have so many stories to share that I couldn't even know where to begin. I will say this to those that never got to know or understand Ray, to really know him was to love him. He had as big a heart down deep as anyone I've ever known. For such a big and intimidating guy, he was a total softy inside with a sensitivity that you just couldn't believe.
Ray was so naturally strong that IMHO it was this belief he had that ultimately cost him his life. His stubborness and/or reluctance to go to the hospital for an infection he had is ironically what cost him his life. Before Ray passed, he lived in Oregon married to Danielle Peeters with kids Natalie, Desiree, Michael, and Shannel. Ray lives on in our memories and through his children.
I miss you Ray (aka Eddie Daniels when he got into trouble or Smachto Vaminski when were pranksters getting into it). Oogaloop Ray!!!
Joe does a great job of capturing the essence of Ray. A fiercely loyal friend and an extremely fun and caring guy. Ray lived up the street from me and we spent a lot of time together in high school and afterwards until he went into the Army and was stationed in Europe. We kept in touch and every time I saw him the years just slipped right away and the friendship didn't miss a beat. Ray you are truly missed.
I'm shocked and sad to know Ray is gone. I remember Ray from Marine View, Huntington and the neighborhood. I remember being a bit puzzled by him when we were kids: a big tough guy who loved his friends so much...and then he'd punch 'em...Ray! big <3
Joe said it best you would jave to know Ray to understand Ray. But what a awesome guy. People that did not know him was either scared of him or mis understood him. he will be missed. miss you my fellow big guy...
Jill Winter (Walton)
I can't believe Ray is gone. Every Christmas when I go home I walk by his house, wondering if he's home for the holidays too. I hadn't seen him since graduation but heard from Ced Plummer during the early 1990s that he was well and happy. I will miss you, Ray. You were one of the sweetest guys I knew.Michael Brummett
I was surprised to see Ray had passed. He was one of my best friends growing up in elementary, Jr. high and through high school. Like most people we lost touch after high school. I remember meeting Ray for the first time in 4th grade at Marine View Elementary where he was the new kid and I was picked to show him around the school. He was a great and talented athlete but most of all he will always be remembered as my friend. REST IN PEACE RAY...Mike Brummett
Heidi Jaske (Fuentes)
I REALLY AM SAD TO SEE THAT RAY IS GONE. I MET HIM AT MARINE VIEW AND LOST TRACK OF HIM AT HBHS. I REMEMBER HIM TRYING TO TEACH ME HOW TO SWING A GOLF CLUB AT MARINE VIEW FIELDS. HE WAS ALWAYS SUCH A SWEETHEART. I'LL MISS YOU.Tracy Knox (Armitage)
I was shocked to hear that Ray had passed. I remember him from Marine View...and my freshman year at HBHS. He was so funny! All the things we (Ray, me, Carrie Hepner & whomever else @ our table) would do in Science class at Marine View to stir up a sub or Mr. Bjorkman. Hilarious. Thanks for the memories, Ray. Rest in peace...Joe Gies
Ray Ray Ray...shaking my head. Most everyone either loved him or hated him and some loved to hate him too. For me, I loved the big man and thought he'd always be there in and a part of my life - if anything just to torment me but in a great and loving - brotherly way. Most of us thought that NOTHING or NOBODY could ever hurt Ray, that a guy like Ray would live forever or definately outlive all of us. We shared a ton of things growing up as close buddies.We grew up together from about 7 or 8 years old until the day he left. His parents & older brothers could be extremely hard on Ray and many nights he stayed at my house and even went on family outings and vacations w/ me. We were brothers in many ways and he was always welcome in our home. My mom and dad even called him as such well after our school years.
Ray was polite and respectful (I know it's hard to believe to some) in situations that warranted it (he did have the awareness to know when it was appropriate) and would always have my back no matter the situation or circumstances. Ray was very strong and loyal to many of us that were close to him and woe to those who ever crossed him or pissed him off. Heck, you couldn't even stand next to him long without him telling you to hit him or him hitting you or picking you up or messing with you in some way. You flinched just walking by him because he was always messing around that way - he loved it. Your strongest hits were love taps to him! (I know there's many smiles reading this)
I could say so many things and I have so many stories to share that I couldn't even know where to begin. I will say this to those that never got to know or understand Ray, to really know him was to love him. He had as big a heart down deep as anyone I've ever known. For such a big and intimidating guy, he was a total softy inside with a sensitivity that you just couldn't believe.
Ray was so naturally strong that IMHO it was this belief he had that ultimately cost him his life. His stubborness and/or reluctance to go to the hospital for an infection he had is ironically what cost him his life. Before Ray passed, he lived in Oregon married to Danielle Peeters with kids Natalie, Desiree, Michael, and Shannel. Ray lives on in our memories and through his children.
I miss you Ray (aka Eddie Daniels when he got into trouble or Smachto Vaminski when were pranksters getting into it). Oogaloop Ray!!!
Michael Balliet (Balliet)
Joe does a great job of capturing the essence of Ray. A fiercely loyal friend and an extremely fun and caring guy. Ray lived up the street from me and we spent a lot of time together in high school and afterwards until he went into the Army and was stationed in Europe. We kept in touch and every time I saw him the years just slipped right away and the friendship didn't miss a beat. Ray you are truly missed.Tracy Knox (Armitage)
Thank you, Joe...beautiful! I wish I had known Ray was living in Oregon when I was living there...Tom Virga
If i remember right Ray was one of if not the biggest boy on campus.Scared the hell out of me at first but grew to really like him.
God bless.
Eleanor Carey (Bolick)
I'm shocked and sad to know Ray is gone. I remember Ray from Marine View, Huntington and the neighborhood. I remember being a bit puzzled by him when we were kids: a big tough guy who loved his friends so much...and then he'd punch 'em...Ray! big <3
George Knerr
Joe said it best you would jave to know Ray to understand Ray. But what a awesome guy. People that did not know him was either scared of him or mis understood him. he will be missed. miss you my fellow big guy...