Johnny Ray

1936 - 2022

John Ray of Louisville passed peacefully early Saturday morning, February 26th, 2022 with his loving wife of 63 years and other family members by his side. John was born on February 20, 1936 in Trinidad, CO to Alfonso Ray and Frances (Softich) Ray. Alfonso worked in the coal mines around Trinidad. When John was two, the family moved to the coal fields around Superior, WY. In 1940 the family moved to Louisville, CO to work in the Northern coal fields of the area. Louisville would become the permanent home of the Ray family. John attended school in Louisville throughout his childhood and graduated from Louisville High School in 1953. He met the love of his life and future wife, Irene (Guadagnoli) Ray, at a wedding in Trinidad in 1954. Following a four year courtship, with many weekend trips to Trinidad, they were married on June 14th, 1958 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad. They raised four children in Louisville. The family have been life-long members of St. Louis Catholic Parish in Louisville, where John served as a lector and school board member, amongst other roles. All of the children attended the school at St. Louis. John began working at Rocky Flats in 1957 as a radiation monitor, eventually becoming a manger for the Health Physics Department. He retired in 1993 after 36 years of service. John was always very active in the community, serving as a scout leader and youth football and baseball coach for many years. One of John's baseball teams was the first Louisville team to win a Jeffco league title and was the first ever team to be listed on the Dixie Elrod trophy. John was a member of the Tri-City Elks Club, the Louisville Historical Society, the Italian American Club, and the Louisville Rod and Gun Club. John was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman all of his life. John had a way of becoming instant friends with anyone he met. His home and table were always open to all. He helped many people through the course of his life and was loved by many friends and family. His kindness, generosity, and constant smile will always be remembered. John was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonso and Frances (Softich) Ray; his sisters, Stella Oakes and Sonta Holeman; and his brother, Joe Ray. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene; sons, John (Cindy) Ray, Steve (Debbie) Ray, and Rich Ray; daughter, Renee Ray; sister in law, Ann Ray; nine grandchildren; nine, soon to be ten, great grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Louis Catholic Church and School in Louisville by visiting https://stlp.org/ Visitation will be held March 8th beginning at 6:30pm at St. Louis Catholic Church. Recitation of the Rosary will follow at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held March 9th at 10:00am followed by burial at 11:30am at Louisville Cemetery.