| Ronald Alphonso Ray |
Spring, departed this life on Thursday, October 6, 2011,
at his home.
He was born on July 27, 1938, in Washington, DC
to the late Harry and Elizabeth Ray. Ronald lived most of
his life in the Washington, DC area until recently. He
graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1957 and then attended District
of Columbia Teachers College.
Ronald began his career in the federal government with the Department of Health
and Human Services and later transferred to the Department of the Defense's
Mapping Agency. After 39 years in government service he retired from the
National Imaging and Mapping Agency in 2002 and later worked as contractor for
NJVC, LLC of Vienna, Virginia.
Ronald was very active in various community services including coaching track
and officiating in the Penn Relays, working as a volunteer with the prison system
to assist inmates in obtaining their GED certificates and was an avid advocate in
obtaining college scholarships for many. Through his interest in helping others he
was able to impact the lives of many in a positive fashion.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Gloria Geist Ray, three children
Katrina Vaughn, and Karen and Keith Ray born to the union with his late wife
Laverne Rita Winston Ray, and a stepson James Geist. Ronald was predeceased
by a beloved son Kevin. He also leaves to mourn his passing a sister Harriet Ray,
two brothers Camanche and Eric Ray, mother-in-law, Dorothy Glass, members of
the Geist family, Rodney and Cheryl and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews,
other relatives and dear friends.
Ronald was a faithful Member of Hope Christian Church and served in several
different ministries there. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 29,
2011 at 1 p.m. at Hope Christian Church, 6251 Ammendale Road, Beltsville,
Maryland.
Published in The Washington Post on October 16, 2011
at his home.
He was born on July 27, 1938, in Washington, DC
to the late Harry and Elizabeth Ray. Ronald lived most of
his life in the Washington, DC area until recently. He
graduated from McKinley Tech High School in 1957 and then attended District
of Columbia Teachers College.
Ronald began his career in the federal government with the Department of Health
and Human Services and later transferred to the Department of the Defense's
Mapping Agency. After 39 years in government service he retired from the
National Imaging and Mapping Agency in 2002 and later worked as contractor for
NJVC, LLC of Vienna, Virginia.
Ronald was very active in various community services including coaching track
and officiating in the Penn Relays, working as a volunteer with the prison system
to assist inmates in obtaining their GED certificates and was an avid advocate in
obtaining college scholarships for many. Through his interest in helping others he
was able to impact the lives of many in a positive fashion.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Gloria Geist Ray, three children
Katrina Vaughn, and Karen and Keith Ray born to the union with his late wife
Laverne Rita Winston Ray, and a stepson James Geist. Ronald was predeceased
by a beloved son Kevin. He also leaves to mourn his passing a sister Harriet Ray,
two brothers Camanche and Eric Ray, mother-in-law, Dorothy Glass, members of
the Geist family, Rodney and Cheryl and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews,
other relatives and dear friends.
Ronald was a faithful Member of Hope Christian Church and served in several
different ministries there. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 29,
2011 at 1 p.m. at Hope Christian Church, 6251 Ammendale Road, Beltsville,
Maryland.
Published in The Washington Post on October 16, 2011
