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Raymond Malus Obituary
March 21, 1943 - February 5, 2017
RAY was born in New York City, one of a set of fraternal twins. At a very early age, they both were assessed as uncommonly bright. RAY taught himself to play the guitar, and suddenly he was popular. RAY went to Manhattan College on a Physics Honor Scholarship. He started playing Music professionally. He toured with a "Pop" band for four years. He did Radio Broadcasting work then became a "Lounge Act."
RAY taught himself Musical Arranging and Composition. As a "Lounge Act" he played Los Angeles Clubs, played at the Sahara Hotel and opened the Landmark Hotel, in Las Vegas. He played Harold's Club and the Riverside Hotel, in Reno, and entertained for many years on Princess Cruises. He studied acting at Zena Provendie's Actor's Lab, in Hollywood.
In 1985 he abandoned "Show Biz" and became a Programmer/Analyst at UCLA School of Dentistry. In a couple of years he became the Director over Computer Systems. During this time RAY became Choir Director at St. Martin - In - the Fields Episcopal Church, in Winnetka, CA, and wrote Choral Music.
In 1999, RAY married for the first time to Sharron, they actually met on a Cruise many years before. In 2005 RAY retired, he wrote, directed and did web design and programming = usually for free. In May 2008, RAY became a member of the San Fernando Valley Branch of the California Writers Club. In 2011 for his efforts on behalf of the Branch, he was awarded the Jack London Award for Service. In 2015, his contributions at the State level, he received the Club's Distinguished, Ina Coolbrith Award for exemplary service to CWC and the central board - only the eighth ever bestowed in 100 years.
RAY was a widely recognized Author, Poet, Commentator and Playwright. His writing appear on many websites and in numerous anthologies. RAY is the author of five published books.
RAY will be remembered for his denotation to SERVICE and his sense of humor and that BEAUTIFUL Voice. RAY is survived by Sharron, his wife of 18 years and his brother, Richard.
Service will be held on February 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at St. Martin - in - the - Fields Episcopal Church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka, CA 91306; (818) 348-1419. In lieu of flowers, please make donations "In Ray's memory" to his Church, St. Martin - in - the Fields.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Malus
Sponsored by Los Angeles Daily News.
Sharron Weber Malus
May 14, 2025
RAY was the PERFECT Husband. Spending 17 years with him as his wife was a JOY.
Joy Whitaker (Higgins)
May 13, 2025
I was shocked to hear about Ray's passing. I was fortunate to have worked with him on Princess Cruises and what a great time we had. He was such a talent. He is surely missed.
Terry Shirokoff
April 22, 2025
orry to hear Ray had passed. Played In his group for several years.Such a great voice.
Deborah Brent
February 10, 2025
I sure miss Ray's talent and wit. An amazing man.
El
February 5, 2025
`A Beautiful Mind'
Treasured Memories.
El
December 25, 2024
I was fortunate to find your early work of the
translation of Ave Marie and The Bible.
How could someone so young write words with
such meaning to humble us to tears.
You were gifted. Once it was done, it pleased you.
Your greatest writing and you didn't share.
Inscription, `Hope I get extra credit.' Raymond Malus
El
March 21, 2024
Raymond was born today with his brother Richard.
Ray gave us music, poems and stories.
Richard gave an heir to the name.
Remember them by a song by Ray.
My favorite: Hello God (This is America calling.)
El
February 5, 2024
Ray had a big smile and a million stories.
A place or tune could summon up familiar ones.
He left us with souvenirs for our mind.
Elise
March 23, 2023
You can have a million friends.
Sometimes there's that `special one'
Raymond could fire emotions with his voice.
Oldies or his own renditions of a past era.
'Danny Boy' evoked tears. That powerful
voice played at my Uncle's resting place.
I was lucky to have the recording.
Christian Stendel
March 13, 2023
I am still reminded of Ray at St. Martin´s, Winnetka, especially while playing the harpsichord and putting up the hymn numbers on the hymn board like Ray used to do. We think of him often. Best wishes to you Sharron.
Sharron Malus
March 11, 2023
The PERFECT HUSBAND will never be forgotten.
Bob Isbill
February 9, 2023
Ray was one of the most influential and unforgettable people I have ever known, and I miss him daily. What a gifted person! Just havingg a conversation with Ray was a comfort, and often many giggles. Love that guy!
Thinking of you, Sharron.
Bob Isbill
Christian Stendel
February 9, 2022
I was just thinking of Ray this weekend while practicing at the church, and while changing the numbers on the hymn board, I was remembering that this was a job Ray always did faithfully! We will always remember Ray and his contributions to music and the arts and the beautiful music he composed for use at St. Martin´s!
Deborah Brent
February 10, 2021
Ray was such a talented person, and helped the St. Martin's Drama Guild put together some enjoyable plays as well as inspirational liturgical plays. I learned a lot from him about stagecraft, and enjoyed spending time with Ray. May he rest in peace. Deborah Brent
Diane Le Moine
February 9, 2021
I have great memories acting in plays he wrote and singing in the Christmas choir with him. Terrific playwright and musician!
Christian Stendel
February 9, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. We will be remembering Ray on the anniversary.
City of Hope
March 21, 2019
The Impossible Dream.
A heckler chimed in at the end.
In Ray's charismatic way,
he took charge.
"If you love me, I'll always be in your heart."
"if you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."
His charitable gift of music, helped many.
Raymond Malus
September 18, 2018
September 16, 2018
What Greater Gift
Friendship
Ron
September 14, 2018
Here's to the good times we had over many years!
September 9, 2018
A child & visionary was in the man.
The memories: `Our Keepsakes'
New Years Eve Reno - Exodus "This Land Is Mine"
Elise
September 1, 2018
Exodus
"This Land Is Mine"
Cruise Ships ~ Sun - Island - Pacific Princess
Elise
August 29, 2018
Cruise Ships
Sun - Island - Pacific Princess
Harold's Club Pop - Rock - Soul - Quipster
Elise
August 22, 2018
Harold's Club
Pop - Rock
Soul - Quipster
Theater ~ Paid to Sing to Pretty Girls.
Elise
August 15, 2018
Theater
Paid to Sing to Pretty Girls
Mary Kaye Trio - 1960's
Elise
August 8, 2018
Ray Malus
Mary Kaye
Ronny Douglas
Ray: Guitar Johnny: Drums Larry: Sax Ronny: Bass
Elise
August 1, 2018
Ray Malus: Guitar Johnny Zawikki: Drums
Larry Bernath: Sax Ronny Douglas: Bass
June 12, 2018
Remembering Ray
`Ray Malus' and `Monster' appeared at Harold's 1969.
`Monster' was sophisticated electronic sounds.
Orchestrated `taped electronics' created illusion.
Ray was center stage. `Mo' was backup.
Galas had a sextet and gave Mo the night off.
The baritone - guitarist was `an experience.'
Ray was a gifted `raconteaur.' Song requests set anecdotes.
Dock of The Bay. MacArthur Park. Cat's in the Cradle.
"Man made alcohol-God made grass. Which would you choose?"
Mother Country, Sweet Caroline, Jody and The Kid, Sundown.
Shred-play preceded `Granada' (in Spanish!)
`Ain't No Sunshine' shook the rafters. `Danny Boy' made tears.
Ray had energy. Most New Years Eve, we were grateful he
was faithful to Harold's. Others: Riverside Hotel, Crystal Bay,
Harrah's Tahoe, Cal-Neva, London, L.A., Cruises.
Don Rickles tagged him: `The Entertainer's Entertainer.'
Opera, Show tunes, Disco, Pop. Stories and fables bid g'night.
`Old Man River' quaked the tables.
"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd throw it in the river."
"If I had all the wine in the world, I'd throw it in the river."
"If I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd throw it in the river."
For my closing: Hymn 365. Shall we gather at the river?"
Ray had followers. 28th. birthday, surprise party at Harold's.
32nd. birthday, Riverside Hotel. Governor's wife was a huge fan.
Presented cake and roses. Loss for words, he took a bow to all.
The evening was filled with `requests.' Mo mumbled `groooo-vy!'
1982, `Magic' held a lengthy note. `Stranger In Paradise' jazzed.
Ray played a `doorman, valet, relish-tray server' at Chadney's.
Spotlight on. "Isn't that the guy that parked our car?"
Years later, breakfast with locals was a common sight.
"He'd say, "Sometimes you're still around after you're gone."
Dynamic, extraordinary, charismatic, modest describes Ray.
Collective hearts will always remember `our friend.'
Author - Playwright - Producer - Composer
February 5, 2018
Author - Playwright
Producer - Composer
A multidimensional man,
appreciated and missed.
January 1, 2018
Endeavors & adventures
Shall never be forgotten.
Endlessly.
Debbue Murphy
December 28, 2017
So many fond memories of a talented, intelligent man. Always in my heart
December 25, 2017
Mother and Child
Bill Faller
June 20, 2017
Sorry for your loss Richard
Sandy Moffett
June 6, 2017
Sharron, I had no idea that Ray had passed until today. I am so very sorry. He was a special man and thought the world of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Elise
March 21, 2017
Thousands of candles
were lighted by a single candle.
Bob Isbill
March 19, 2017
We have lost a good friend and a remarkable human being.
Among many other things he did for the California Writers Club was to create and program software for the CWC just because he saw a huge need for it. Previously, the organization had used individual branch Excel spreadsheets or Word files to track names and addresses of the membership. Each Treasurer's report and Membership report took hours and tedious work to complete.
Ray was a wirier, actor, director, playwright, singer, musician, composer, poet, and fortunately for us, a programmer. So he created our Member Records Management System, known as MRMS.
Now those painstaking reports simply take a click of the computer mouse to complete-- accurately!
The High Desert Branch was one of the first to volunteer as a guinea pig for Ray's new creation to give him usage and feedback for this enormous project. We were excited about the innovation that took hundreds and hundreds of hours for Ray to develop, and he acted like we were doing the favor by giving him feedback!
Thanks to the cooperation of his wife, the gracious Sharron Malus, the CWC is able to retain his unique gift of the MRMS program for its use.
As the HDCWC Central Board Representative, I had come to know Ray Malus during those Central Board meetings, and then, through helping to coordinate the back-and-forth communication over MRMS. It was my pleasure to often accompany Ray and his beautiful wife, Sharron, to dinner, where Ray would amuse us with his many stories about the years he spent as an entertainer. His humor and manner of telling of those experiences was beyond the beyond. Sharron and I laughed so hard we couldn't eat our dinner.
Ray was born exceptionally bright. He was a fraternal twin of Richard, who survives Ray.
As a young man, Ray was offered a physics scholarship but decided that was not what he wanted. He taught himself guitar as he later taught himself programming. He became an entertainer doing lounge acts in La Vegas, and working on cruise ships as an actor. He composed music and wrote and directed several produced plays. He worked as a programmer at UCLA in the dental education department, and shortly became the head of the computer programming at the University.
Ray also had a deep spiritual side to him, and with a deep love of God, he served his church, St. Martins In-The-Fields in Winetka in the same way he did everything else: with dedication and focus and with all his heart.
We have lost a genius.
The CWC was able to acknowledge and appreciate this talented and extraordinary man with its highest awards for service: The Jack London Award (2011) and the Ina Coolbrith Award (2015).
Fortunately, many of his gifts live on through his five published books and on his website, www.raymalus.com. You can still hear some of his music, his singing, and see his stories and his poetry.
You can also still hear his rich voice in the instructional videos on MRMS.
And for many of us, we are blessed with outstanding memories of Ray Malus that we can recall and re-visit as long as we live.
Thank you, Ray, for all you gave. So much to so many.
CWC Construction - Design Technical Systems Repository
Elise
March 14, 2017
Elise
March 13, 2017
`Celebrate Life.'
Ray's performance `sign off.'
1965 I met a notable individual.
A `polymath' - `Renaissance man.'
Mary Kaye Trio, The York, Beverly Hilton, Wishire Ebell, Chadney's.
Stops along the way.
New Years Eve, Exodus--A thundering voice and a clinched fist...
"This Land Is Mine."
His wit, humor, embrace knowledge were like facets on a gem.
Each plane, unique.
If he gave you a story, a joke, a song that enhanced your day, you made his.
He left us with so many gifts.
A good soul ascended to heaven.
tanya grove
February 25, 2017
Ray was a bright ray of light that couldn't help but shine wherever he was. His sly sense of humor made me laugh numerous times. Even though I only saw him in person a few times, I felt a kinship with him. We were newsletter editors of our respective CWC branches at the same time and wrote to each other. I will really miss him.
Ethel Ann Shaffer
February 22, 2017
Ray and I had been friends since he and I were delegated to put CWC-SFV back together again, about 9 years ago. I served as president, and Ray served as Editor of The Scribe, along with many other jobs. He was the ultimate perfectionist and could never say "no," which was a blessing to our writer's club. He was my best friend from the day we met, and he will forever remain in my heart. He was an extremely talented writer, poet, and musician. Please check out a favorite song he wrote for his wife, "I Want to be the One" on You Tube. It's hauntingly beautiful. And while you're at it, check out his books on Amazon.com. I know for a fact he's smiling down on Sharron, with pen in hand, composing prose.
Sharon Svitak
February 20, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
February 17, 2017
Ray and I were friends for many years and started a band in NY in the 60s..He will be remembered for his many talents! You will be missed!
Ron Douglas
Doug Douglas
February 17, 2017
Dedication, talent, incredible intelligence, honesty, unlimited generosity--all these and more describe Ray. But what I miss every day since his passing is his friendship. No one could ask for a greater treasure than to have been his friend.
Joyce Krieg
February 16, 2017
Ray was a dedicated volunteer and a valued friend of California Writers Club. His contribution of countless hours of his technical skill and creative talent can never be adequately acknowledged. The world has lost a unique individual, and California Writers Club has lost a vital part of our very fabric. Sail on, Ray!
Sharron Malus
February 16, 2017
RAY was my PERFECT HUSBAND. He was self taught in so many areas and since he married me later in life, I told him he had studied on how to be the PERFECT HUSBAND before he got married.
In LOVING Memory of RAY,
Sharron Malus
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
February 15, 2017
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
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