Guy Raymond "Ray" Tansley

I am sorry for not coming to your funeral. I would like to thank you for being there as a uncle and helping me out at my greatest time of need. You supported me when I wanted to go to college and you also helped me when I was activated with short notice for a military deployment to Cuba. Your acts of kindness have been very impressionable on me and I will never forget you.

My big brother Ray touched many people. I always felt his ability to see through to the real issue, and give his advice, always right- on was one of his greatest virtues. Such insight is rare. He was always good to me growing up. He will be very much missed. I'm glad we were able to do some things together in recent years, and get re-aquainted. He did our parents proud....Brother Ron..

I am so sorry I was not able to attend your funeral my dear Uncle Ray. I will miss you sooo much. As everyone has already said, but I join in; in saying there was always so much to learn from your relationship with your siblings. I will honor you in always trying my hardest to see the humor in my own relationships and holding them close. I hold you in my heart forever, and please give all my love to Auntie Ro Ro Rose and Scott (beam me up Scotty).

I am amazed at the response to my "little" brothers "Guest Book" web site (he was 11 months younger than me...always a good joke for a month). I spoke at the funeral in Bakersfield with my remembrances of him and of the good times we had together. I really miss e-mailing him my jokes and arguing over politics! He was one stubborn opinionated guy. To those who couldn't make the funeral, burial and "wake" it was first class...put together by Kim,Mike and Debby. We lost a great brother, uncle,...

Uncle Ray,
There is no one quite like you. You were a role model for my generation of the family and I took great pride in hearing that you thought I was a good mother to my girls. I respected your opinion and feel blessed to have known you. I have enjoyed getting to know you a little better over the last couple camping/fishing trips in Oregon. And of course watching you and Bill reminded me that no matter how much someone frustrates you sometimes, it's always important to recognize...

RainMan,

What do you say/feel when one of the best parts of this family moves on to greener pastures? We are all so fortunate to have had you in our fold. If only all families could be so lucky to have an addition like you. When we all lived in Trona, and I was the baby sister, you were one of friends I would have always remembered, even if you hadn't have married my sister. I always felt older and more important when I was around you and Bill. And I won't forget teaching you...

My Dear Rainman:
I will miss you calling my Durango "The Derwrecko", just because of one little fender bender and trying to convince me to let you and Billy take it Elk hunting.I will miss you kicking my fish just because it was bigger than yours. I will miss you being so patience with me on the golf trips. I will miss all the hours we spent doing our crossword puzzles, I always hoped I would get to finish one you started, but that never happened. You were always there for...

Uncle Ray was one of the most generous, most thoughtful people I have ever known. I will miss my uncle. Rosie (named after her sweet great-aunt Rose) was particularly charmed by her great-uncle Ray. Little Rosie, scared of just about everyone, would run up to Uncle Ray and yell her classic “HI!!!” I feel sad for her and her brand new sister Giada that they will never know the joy that I knew, growing up with such a great role model, hearing the quips back and forth between Uncle Ray and...

One of only a few with a thousand expressions, each one completely identifiable. Ray could talk without speaking a single word and be very clear what he was saying. If he was actually talking to you and you could not see his face then you were only getting half of the story. For all that knew Ray, I say lets stand on the foundation that he built for 69 years. don,t just stand back and look at it, get up on it and keep adding to it. He will live for ever through all who keep adding to his...