David E Ray

David E Ray obituary, Tucson, AZ

David E Ray

David Ray Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 10, 2024.
Tucson - May 20, 1932 - August 8, 2024

David Eugene Ray, poet, editor and teacher, passed away peacefully at home on August 8, 2024, with Judy, his loving wife of 54 years, by his side. He was 92.

David was born on May 20, 1932 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to Dowell A. Ray and Katherine (Jennings) Ray. A sister, Mary Ellen, was born in 1933. The family lived on "Grampa Ray's" share-cropped farm until David's father became a barber and they moved to small towns. When their parents divorced, David and Mary Ellen moved between care by relatives and foster homes and a Children's Home in Tulsa. (These early years David described much later in a memoir, The Endless Search.) When he was 15, David, who had asthma, moved to Arizona, where he graduated from Tucson High School and then earned a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Chicago. He went on to an academic career as editor, lecturer and professor of English and Creative Writing at many institutions, including Cornell University, Reed College, the University of Iowa Writers Workshop, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he became Professor Emeritus. In Kansas City, he was also editor of the literary magazine, New Letters, and founded the radio program, New Letters on the Air, which aired on NPR stations.

In the 1960s, David Ray co-founded, with Robert Bly, American Writers Against the Vietnam War, organizing and encouraging "read-ins" at protest gatherings, and in the years since he wrote extensively in response to wars and environmental issues as well as topics of family, grief, and art. He published 22 books of poetry, the memoir, chapbooks, and numerous essays and stories; several of these publications won literary awards. In his concern for society and the environment, he also wrote numerous opinion columns and letters to newspaper editors.

With a spirit of adventure and inquiry, David sought out new experiences by becoming a Visiting Professor in India, New Zealand and Australia, spending several months in each diverse place, which he wrote about extensively in poetry books and essays. He also received fellowships to spend time in such places as the Rockefeller Center in Bellagio, Italy, and the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France. A number of David's students from various locations and years have expressed gratitude for the specific encouragement he gave for their creative writing work.

First in Kansas City and then in Tucson, David became a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), drawn by their testimonies of peace and equality, and appreciating the sense of community, small and large.

David is survived his wife Judy, his daughter Winifred Catherine (from his first marriage to Florence Lorenz), and step-daughters Wesley Jean (from his second marriage to Ruth Counsell) and Sapphina (Judy's daughter from her first marriage). David also has three grandchildren - Nancy, James, and David. His son Samuel (from his second marriage) died in an accident in 1984.

David and Judy moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1997. It was there that David passed away from complications from Parkinson's on August 8, 2024 at the age of 92.

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

Sign David Ray's Guest Book

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March 29, 2025

David Gunter posted to the memorial.

March 15, 2025

Kathleen Williamson posted to the memorial.

December 27, 2024

Cathy Wald posted to the memorial.

David Gunter

March 29, 2025

Yesterday I pulled my copy of "Sams Book" off the shelf to browse through it. It was only the second book of poetry I had ever purchased, about a year before I was fortunate enough to have David Ray as my creative writing professor during my sophomore year at UMKC. I decided to look and see what he was up to and I am saddened by this news. I can only imagine how far he will continue to live on in his works and by those he taught and touched.

Kathleen Williamson

March 15, 2025

Somehow, this news escaped me until today when I saw a mutual friend. My sympathies and warmest regards to Judy and David's family. And many thanks for all the good conversations and poetry.

Cathy Wald

December 27, 2024

I met David at Pima Monthly Meeting and he and Judy became valued friends although I rarely saw them. I admired his dedication to poetry and his generosity to other writers. Go in peace, David!

Nolan Winkler

November 23, 2024

I met David and Judy at an artist's colony in Temecula, California. Lovely and oh-so-talented, both. Got to know them better when they purchased a second home in Hillsboro, NM. I am often inspired by David's poetry and sorry to read there will be no more. Enjoy your new adventure, Mr. Ray.

[email protected]

September 15, 2024

David's life and poetry both brightened and challenged our world, making it a wiser, more humane place. His uncompromising lines and crisp insights will hold us in good stead as they echo long after his last breath. I was deeply privileged to have him as F/friend and mentor. David Ray !PRESENTE!

deborah knox

September 15, 2024

David was a rock in our Quaker community. A silent steady force.
I appreciating knowing him the little that I did.
Blessings to you Judy and the family.

Katherine´Leigh´ Hilsinger MD

September 15, 2024

So sorry for your loss. Sending love and support.

Amritjit Singh, Ohio University

September 15, 2024

A huge personal loss for me and a major loss to all those who loved his writing in several genres. Met David and Judy first in Kansas City in 1976 and had an opportunity to know them well in India during 1981-82 when we worked together on book projects. Will miss conversations with David and his resilient search for fairness and justice for one and all.

Barbara Atwood

September 15, 2024

I met David only once, but he had an impact on me. Our paths crossed through poetry. Years ago, Tucson held a poetry festival and selected winners from among submitted poems. David served as judge, and he chose one of mine for the first-place award. My poem, entitled "Last Gift," was indirectly about my young son's death, and David seemed to have empathy when he announced the selection of my poem. I researched him and learned of his own son's death, and someone later gave me a copy of his beautiful book "Sam." I admired David for his gifts as a poet and his devotion to humanitarian causes. I send my deepest sympathy to his family.

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Sign David Ray's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 29, 2025

David Gunter posted to the memorial.

March 15, 2025

Kathleen Williamson posted to the memorial.

December 27, 2024

Cathy Wald posted to the memorial.