Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Raymond Goodman Ramsay

About

Bellingham High School Western Washington University

FUNERAL HOME

Sig's Funeral & Cremation Services

809 W Orchard Drive, Suite #2

Bellingham, Washington

Raymond Ramsay Obituary

Raymond Goodman Ramsay, age 81, passed away peacefully in Bellingham at Hospice House on Friday, August 31, 2018. Ray was born in Bellingham in 1937 and attended Columbia Elementary, Whatcom Middle School, and Bellingham High School, where he played football. He served with the United States Naval Reserves from 1958 to 1966. He received his degree in education from Western Washington University in 1963 and began working at Ferndale High School that same year. Over his 30-year career at Ferndale, Ray taught Special Education, Shop, and Driver's Ed. He also coached football, wrestling, and golf and had an impact on countless young lives. He stayed in touch with many of his former students over the years. Ray spent summers commercial fishing in Alaska. Ray married his true love Rhea on September 24, 1960 at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham. The couple would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this month. Ray and Rhea were blessed with two sons, Todd and Lance. Ray was hard-working, loyal, and had a quick wit. He enjoyed relentlessly teasing friends and family alike, and his smile will not be forgotten. Later in life, Ray enjoyed traveling in his motorhome, golfing, and watching sports. He especially loved watching the Mariners and Cougar football. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren compete in various sports. Ray is survived by his wife Rhea; brother Rob; son Lance; daughters-in-law Kendra and Torhil; brother-in-law Marc; sister-in-law Mo; grandchildren Hayden, Kelsey, Tyler, Sedona, Portia, and Ryker; grand dogs Samson and Tucker, and countless other friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents Ira and Florence Ramsay, his in-laws William and Helen Bishop, and his son Todd. In lieu of flowers, the family would like any donations to be made to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation (www.whatcomhospice.org). A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 3:00 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 2117 Walnut St., Bellingham, WA 98225. Please share your thoughts and memories of Ray online at www.sigsfuneralservices.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Sep. 6, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Ramsay

16 Entries

September 18, 2018

So sorry for your loss.May you receive strength and comfort from God. "He will make you firm,He will make you strong, He will firmly ground you". 1Peter 5:10

September 15, 2018

With my sincere sympathy to your family; May your treasured memories continue to provide a measure of comfort and peace to the family. Please be strengthened from (Isaiah 61:1,2) our God "binds up the broken-hearted and comforts all who mourn"

John MUGGY

September 9, 2018

I was so very sorry to hear of his passing! Coach Ramsay to me , What a great coach, father figure ,Prince of a Guy, To do what he did back in 66 start the Wrestling Team , at Ferndale , I can still remember his cross face and those hairy fore arms. He helped me in so many ways become the person I became. He will be missed.

Jeff Ferry

September 9, 2018

Very sad to learn of Ray's passing. He was a great teacher and coach and wonderful person. I'm sure I gave him more than one set of white knuckles as I stood over a putt on the 18th green in a HS golf tournament. I'm very glad I had a chance to meet him. Rest in peace Ray!

Tanya Bishop

September 8, 2018

He taught me how to drive. I always bet against him when the Cougars would face the Huskies. I will never forget the light in his eyes. He was such an awesome uncle.

Scott & Linda Fiscus

September 8, 2018

We have great memories of Mr. Ramsay..he was our Driver's Ed instructor and Scott's Golf Coach! He was always so calm, cool and collected! And had a great sense of humor! Thoughts and Prayers to the Ramsay family.

Deb Corbett

September 8, 2018

So sorry to learn of his passing. Mr. Ramsey was my driver's ed teacher at FHS in 1976. One of my favorites! Thoughts & prayers go out to the family. God bless.

Teri Fiscus Christensen

September 7, 2018

I had a few teachers at FHS who will always be with me. I swear everytime I get behind the wheel, I hear Mr Ramsey's voice.. condolences to his family; know that he influenced many many lives and is remembered fondly by so many people~What better legacy can a person hope for!

Gudlaug Hawkinson

September 7, 2018

My condolences go out to Ray's family. I had the opportunity to work with him at FHS and shared many a laugh, supportive words of wisdom and friendship. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Bill Petty

September 7, 2018

We are so very sorry to hear of his passing! He was one of my favorite teachers and he influenced me in so many ways! He will be missed by all of the people who were fortunate enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family!

Leslie (Pasinski) Drury

September 7, 2018

Mr. Ramsay was a wonderful teacher; he was encouraging, calm and patient, caring, and thorough. I think I still hear his voice in my head as I'm out driving around the roads in Whatcom County; I'm sure he made our little corner of the world safer by sending out good drivers. I think many of us remember the driving simulator and the comedian in the back of the room monitoring all of our new driver mistakes: Oops Leslie! You should have braked a little sooner, you just totaled that car in front of you! And I'll never forget the day one of my fellow mild-mannered driving students accidentally tore out of a gravelled intersection. He made her pull over and he sat there for several minutes laughing so hard tears were running down his cheeks. You had to love him!
I'm sure that warmth and humor will be missed by those close to him and I pray that the Lord comforts you all in this time of loss. I'm so thankful that he was a part of my growing up years, never to be forgotten.

Kent Loomer

September 7, 2018

Mr Ramsay made a positive and permanent mark on my life as a student and I carried those lessons on into my adulthood. His laughter and engaging teaching style still brings a smile to my face. He will be missed.

Anita Petty-Tarlao

September 7, 2018

He was one of my favorite teachers. He was my driving coach and was always so patient with all of us. When we were stressed he would tell a joke and make us all feel better. He will be missed

Joann Vander Yacht

September 7, 2018

Im so sorry to hear of Rays passing. I was his Teachers Assistant when I was 16 in the Traffic Safety Education class. He taught me how to drive. He was so friendly and had such a great sense of humor. He will be missed by many I am sure.

Kathy Gorsegner Enger

September 7, 2018

Mr. Ramsay was a great teacher. Had a great sense of humor. Prayers and love to his family.

September 6, 2018

Rhea, Lance, and family, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult and sad time. Linda Rhea and family

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results