Donald Ray

Donald Ray was born October 11, 1930, the son of Joseph and Mary Janack Ray. He died Friday, November 20, 2009, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of seventy-nine.
Donald was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the Beaver Community Schools in Beaver, Pennsylvania, and graduated with the class of 1950. On April 16, 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his term of service, he received the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. On March 25, 1955, he received an Honorable Discharge. He attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri, where he was on the Deans List in 1959, and graduated in the early 60s with a degree in teaching. He taught school in Denison for a few years, then moved to Manning to teach at the Manning High School, then to Oxnard, California, for one year before returning to Denison. He taught in Dow City until 1982, after which he retired from teaching to painting.
He married Phyllis Grimm in Denison. The couple was blessed with the birth of two children. Family meant a lot to Donald. He enjoyed family gatherings and especially spending time with his grandchildren, helping them with their homework. He loved fishing in Canada, with Walleye and Northern Pike being his prime delight. Hunting was also a favorite pastime. He enjoyed football and was very enthusiastic about the teams, especially Penn State. He also liked the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Donald was preceded in death by his brother, George Ray and his wife, Zora. He is survived by one son, TJ Ray and his wife Dianna; and one daughter, Sarah Fineranand her husband, John, all of Schleswig, Iowa; five grandchildren: Katie Carlson and her husband, Chris of Des Moines, Iowa; Samantha Ray of Schleswig; Trey, Tayten and Hayden Fineran of Schleswig; one sister, Katherine Bozich of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania; other relatives and friends.