Name: Visitation for Ray Allen Laing
Start: 2016-02-06T00:30:00.000Z
End: 2016-02-06T03:30:00.000Z
Location: Hansen Mortuary Chapel - Phoenix

Laing, Ray Allen
April 5, 1938 - January 26, 2016. Ray, known to most as Coach Laing, Coach Fog, or Papa Ray of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 26, 2016. Ray was born in North Branch, WI, son of Dr. Stanley and Thelma Laing. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife and true love Barbara; brother George; sisters Thelma Jane Casper and Darlene Bishop. He is survived by his sister Violet Laing; his three children Greg Laing (Barbara), Kristi Smith (George), and Robbin Laing; six grandchildren Terra Rigsby (Daymon), Katie McAlpine (Ian), Taylor Laing, Henry Salazar, Nathanael Smith, and Hayden Salazar; and his great-granddaughter Paige McAlpine. He will also be sorely missed by his best friend Teresa Goettl. Ray attended Pittsburgh State College where he received his degree and played on the 1957 NAIA National Championship football team and coached the 1961 National Championship team. Ray served in the Armed Forces (Army) where he achieved the rank of Captain. He then ventured to Phoenix, AZ in July 1966 to be the head football coach at Central High School where he coached from 1966-1976. While at Central he led the 1969 & 1972 teams to State Championships. He also coached at Phoenix College and Mesa Community College for a combined 31 years. He returned to high school football in 2009 as a defensive coach and headed up the scout teams for Brophy College Preparatory. Ray was part of the first class inducted into the PUHS District Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for sports led him to begin refereeing hockey in 1970 where he was an official at all levels including AZ Amateur Ice Hockey, linesman in the WHA, IHL, and the WHL. In his spare time, he umpired high school, junior college, and college baseball for 40 years. Ray was a devoted member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church where he served as an usher for many years. The Paradise Valley C.C. Fitness Center was his home away from home, starting in 1985 and continued until his last day on earth. Ray led a life few of us could ever realize. He had a job that he never lost his passion for. He made thousands of friends and guided many young men to becoming adults with character, honor, and respect, qualities he abundantly displayed throughout his entire life. We will never forget his laugh, sense of humor, humility and how he lived his life to the fullest, but most of all we will never forget the legendary, Ray Allen Laing. Visitation service, Friday, February 5, 2016, 5:30-8:30 PM, Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th St., Phx 85020. Memorial service, Saturday, February 6, 2016, 1:30 PM, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Maryland Ave., Phx 85015. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arizona Humane Society, 9226 N. 13th Ave., Phx 85021 or Neighborhood Ministries, P.O. Box 6057, Phx 85005-6057. Visit hansenmortuary.com for condolences.

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Published by The Arizona Republic from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Laing

22 Entries

Bob Judd

September 27, 2020

Sorry to hear of my dear friends passing. Ray and I taught together at Phx. College. Stayed in touch at PVCC until I moved East. He facilitated the meeting of my wife of 42 years.
Thank you Ray. You were a true friend and brother.

JAy Himelstein

February 24, 2016

I remember when Mr. Laing first came on Campus in 1966. I was a Freshman.
We had been perennial losers. The doormat of Phoenix Football teams.I was a "soft" kid. Mr. Laing changed that!
Mr. Laing changed that culture 180*.
He initiated a new "system" where all of us learned the same plays, philosophy and workouts. He was, literally, BUILDING boys into MEN.
Mr. Laing was FAIR and honest. Everyone knew where they stood.
Some coaches are like thermometers...they come out and "Take the temperature"
Other Coaches are like thermostats....
They come out and CHANGE the temperature.
Mr. Laing was a thermostat. He changed the culture, changed our mindset and changed the lives of many young boys.
I was NOT a good football player, but Mr. Laing treated me like I was.

RIP Sir.

February 14, 2016

Coach Laing,

Thank you for leading us on the battlefield and teaching us to improve our game. We will see you on the other side!

Best,

Todd Runyan
MCC Football 2004 & 2005

Brian Graves

February 6, 2016

Thank you Coach Laing for being a great friend and mentor. I had the opportunity to coach with Coach Laing at MCC from 05-08. The impact Coach had on my life is immeasurable. Though Im sad to hear of your passing I take comfort in knowing that you and Barbara are together again. Thanks for all the life lessons Coach.

Mark Swartz

February 5, 2016

I think we all are better people for having known Coach Laing. I don't know of a higher praise.
His willingness to work with, and help individuals is rare anymore.

Dain Calvin

February 5, 2016

I am very sorry for your loss. I was the offensive center on the Central High School football team during Coach Laing's first year at Central. He was a excellent Coach and a great person!

Nannette Salcido

February 5, 2016

I will always cherish the memories of your father and family. always fun and loving every time I was over.
my deepest condolences and love.

Brent Blakeman

February 3, 2016

Great Coach!! Great guy!! They don't make them like him anymore...

Larry Kelly

February 3, 2016

Ray Laing was a great coach, wonderful person, and true professional. It was a pleasure working with him at Central during the time I was there--1969 - 1972. That State Championship was indeed special. His influence on his players resulted in their becoming outstanding young men that I still see from time to time. May God bless his children and grandchildren during this difficult time.

Bob

February 3, 2016

I am grateful for the life of Captain (Ret.) Laing. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.

Brian Smith

February 2, 2016

FOG,

To a true mentor, colleague and friend. Thanks for the laughs and good times, on and off the ice. You will always be remembered for all you did to improve the lives of everyone you met. You were the finest of gentlemen. You will be greatly missed.

RIP

Shadow

February 2, 2016

FOG,

To a true mentor, colleague and friend. Thanks for all the laughs and good times, on and off the ice. You will always be remembered for all you did to improve the lives of everyone you met. You were the finest of gentlemen. You will be greatly missed.

RIP

Shadow

Nancy Carlisle

February 2, 2016

I graduated with Ray from Wyandotte High School--but knew him earlier through our fathers--both doctors. Ray was always kind and great to be around. He will be missed! --Nancy (Betz) Carlisle

Martha Wilder

February 2, 2016

Prayers for Coach Laing's family and loved ones. He was a truly inspirational coach, so glad to be a small part of the 1972 Championship.

February 1, 2016

To Coach Laing's family,
I send you my deepest sympathy and condolences. You all are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Coach Laing was such a remarkable and wonderful person. He played an important role in so many of our lives while he was at Central High. He will live on in our hearts and minds. May his memory be eternal.
Susan Romley Moranz
Central High Class of 1975

Marcia Durkin Minor

February 1, 2016

Dear Greg and Family:
Marcia Durkin Minor here, news travels fast, I live in Atlanta and learned of your Dad's passing last week. Such a profound sadness I feel for your loss. Your Dad and beautiful Mother bring back so many memories of what every kid should experience in high school! I've had so many great days in my life but those days at Central High were some of the greatest! There was such respect for your Dad and family and we had the greatest Friday nights under the lights that a teenager could ever ask for, thank you Coach Laing for so many crazy fun times! Our teams under your leadership were amazing!! (That part was for your Dad) he knows we're all terribly upset!! Greg just know that so many of us have you in our thoughts and prayers and hope that you will find comfort in knowing how much your family is loved and revered by many!! My brother Mark and I moved to Arizona as freshman,couldn't have landed with a greater group of friends and thankful for every cherished memory and friendship!! We are both profoundly sad to here of "Coach Laings" passing..Kind regards always Marcia

Jose Acosta

February 1, 2016

My respects and my condolences for Ray. As an umpire, Ray conducted himself as a calm, dignified arbiter and a model to others. Rest in Peace.

Renea Delgado

February 1, 2016

I will never forget Coach Ray. He was such a nice man with a zest for life! I remember attending a Notre Dame softball game with he and Barb and it was SO cold, he and Barb shared their blanket with me and we ended up watching the game in the car with the heater on high! Ray was always so supportive of his grandkids sports and their friends on the teams they played for! He is now in heaven with Barb and he is at peace. My condolences go out to the Laing family, which always has an open heart for everyone that they touch.

Larry Allen

February 1, 2016

So many of us are truly saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Ray Laing. Coach Laing had the unique ability to influence many young impressionable teenagers, to make us believe that we could do great things, and then was not surprised when we accomplished them. Some of my most cherished memories revolve around being part of teams lead by this great man. He worked us hard and expected perfection - he taught us great life lessons. Rest in Peace Coach, we'll see you again. God Bless the Laing family and thank you for sharing Coach with all of us. Central High, Class of '73

Arnie Fonseca, Jr

January 31, 2016

Coach Laing you changed my life forever by believing enough in me to give me a shot on Varsity and trusting me with the key to the weight room. Those two things gave this "Scrawny Freshman" amazing confidence for the rest of my life! For that I will never forget you!

Tina (Clark)Brogdon

January 31, 2016

My deepest sympathies for the Laing family. I knew Mr.Laing at Central- great man and coach.

Greg Brannigan

January 31, 2016

Ray Laing was a very special person with my family. Ray and dad worked together on youth hockey in the valley for years. Your dad was so dedicated to youth athletics and working with kids, he will be missed.

I will always remember countless times getting up at 4am to go play hockey at Tower Plaza with you and your dad every Sunday morning for years. And then Sunday nights we'd go to the Roadrunners games to watch your dad referee the games.

Your dad touched a lot of people, in many different aspects of life.

Love;

Greg Brannigan

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