Ray Patrick Lovejoy

I love and miss you so much dad. I am comforted by the fact that you are healthy and whole in heaven, that you are so happy and running and jumping, without a care. I will see you again.

My fondest memories of Ray had to do with the fact that he exemplified the qualities of being a servant-king...someone to whom the Lord had given to in abundance, and freely gave to others as a servant, out of his royal generosity.
For many years,, I was the amateur wedding photographer at the church Ray and I attended.
During one wedding, I was surprised to see Ray show up with a video camera and tripod from his store. I watched as he struggled to attach the vidcam to the tripod with no success, so I told him to let me take over doing his videotaping (in spite of never having ever videotaped a wedding) and to go sit down with Thelma and enjoy the wedding.
He agreed, and that began a long relationship with Ray, where he would supply a video camera and equipment, plus a blank tape before each wedding, I would do the setup and recording, and together we would give the tape to each couple as a wedding gift!
He was always upbeat and smiling, a true gentleman, a true gift to his family, friends, and those he served so faithfully in the community with his kind and generous spirit.
Thank you Thelma and family, for having shared Ray...he was truly an example of the Father's love to us.
-Fred Yentz...aka, "Mr. Yentz", what Ray always called me.

Dear Thelma, Donna, Laura, Tina, Kevin, and your families,
In spite of my grief, thinking of Ray makes me smile! He was such a kind and generous man and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Mary Lee Yentz

Whenever I think of Ray I smile! What a true gentleman..always kind, engaged, generous and glowing from within..I know he was welcomed into the presence of God with,"Well done good and faithful servant."..we are all blessed to have known him!! Our thoughts&prayers are with you all &especially dear sweet Thelma..may God surround with his love &peace..Jim&Jacquie Meier

Dear Aunt Thelma and Donna,Laura,Kevin,& Tina and all your Families
All of you have been in my prayers. There are no words that can be spoken to ease your pain. To understand the kind of man that Uncle Ray is and to know He lives on with Christ our Lord and awaits our arrival, can ease the pain of missing him some. I have been thinking of the last time we went and visited Him and Aunt Thelma. He took Me and my family down to a car show. He would point out different cars to my son. Uncle Ray loved any kind of automobile that was fast or looked real cool. He once let me drive a corvette he had. As we were driving he said give it some gas. I guess I was not going fast enough for him. He said see what it can do. I was so scared I would wreck it then I would have to pay for it. Uncle Ray was a very awesome man. My love for him and you will always be. May our most Awesome God keep you in His arms until we meet again.
Love Rodney & family

I will always be forever greatful to Ray for giving me the opportunity to work for him and learn the appliance business. It has served me well and allows me to make a good living to this day despite my aging body of almost 69 years. I personally found Ray to be a person to be looked up to. He had a wonderful way of showing the utmost respect for all those he came in contact with. I believe the world was in a better place everyday that Ray woke up and went to work.
Respectfully,
Wayne Thompson

Ray Lovejoy was not only a devoted father and husband, he was a kind and generous employer as well.

Dad, 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I miss you. Hearing all the comments from family, friends, and especially your grandchildren has been proof of how amazing a man you were. The main words that I keep hearing were generous and kind.  That definitely hits the nail on the head! 
Some of my favorite memories of you were dancing on your feet, racing with you (and boy was I excited the day I finally beat you) and my last favorite memory of you was your support when I said yes to marrying Michael. When I came over to tell you that he had asked me to marry him, you frowned and shook your head and said, "It's too soon, it's too soon." I told you I loved him and I really needed you to be happy for me.  You said,  "Okay." That was it, no other words. But the way you said it and the look on your face said it all. You loved me enough to be supportive even if you didn't agree with me. 
Well, this life here on earth wasn't always easy for you but through it all you remained a solid rock, a patriarch to our family. I know everyone of your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren looked up to and admired you greatly. Not only your family admired you but many, many other people. Your generosity and kindness was known throughout our community. Even though your physical body was giving out you still pressed on and made it to work nearly every day. Most people in your condition would have just given up or claimed disability, but not my dad. You were strong to the end and persevered. I enjoy thinking of you in heaven with absolutely no physical restraints this old world and natural body limited you to. I imagine you dancing and running and enjoying the presence of the God you chose to admirably serve while you were here on this earth. You were a Godly example to your children, grandchildren, and community. Just that you raised four children that chose to follow in your footsteps and serve God speaks volumes! 
I remember someone ( I believe it was Larry Henderson) once said that if he could just see the back of your head in heaven he would know that he had done well. I believe the same thing if I could just be a smidgen of the person you were I will have done a great job. 
I miss you more than I ever knew was possible. I miss your smile, the sparkle in your eyes, your big-warm hands, your hugs and kisses, and just talking to you. Family gatherings are not going to be the same without being able to look at your face and see how much you enjoyed your family. Christmas time was your favorite! It was chaotic with everyone there, but when I would look at your face, I would only see pure love and joy. You were truly in your element.  You loved your family so much and it showed. I hope I can show that kind of love to my own family. You were the perfect example of a loving father. You chose to serve your heavenly Father and be an example to many of a Godly man. As your children choose to follow your example to follow after God and His will in our lives, I believe it will minister to all of the other generations of the Lovejoy family. Another thing I really admired about you is your love for the family members that didn't seem to have your core values or beliefs. You never gave up on them and had a special place in your heart for them. I'm sure that I am missing so much I wanted to say about you in this letter, but that is how it is when someone is as wonderful as you are. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven. I love you so much, daddy. 

Until I see you again,
Your loving daughter,
~Tina

We are so grateful to have had the opportunity & honor to know and be friends with Ray! We always noticed & loved how affectionate he was toward little Thelma and how he lit up in her presence and also in the company of his kids~a true family man through & through! Ray loved the Lord with all of his heart & was only to happy to share it! A more generous man would be hard to find. His legacy lives on through his beautiful family, each of who hold a very precious & special place in our hearts personally! Our hearts go out to you and our prayers are for God's peace during this time of your family's loss. We love each of you!

My dad was a great man. He touched so many people and I have forgotten that his world was bigger then just our family. It is so incredible to me to hear how many people who have been blessed by this wonderful man. I feel honored to be his daughter. I did not realize how much I would miss him. He was a good listener. He was generous beyond his means, always putting others before himself. He would have strangers over for Sunday dinner, bring home stray dogs and cats and pick up hitchhikers while us four kids crowded in the back seat. My heart aches for him. But what peace I have because i know where this man is today! I love you dad!

My dad was a great man. He touched so many people and I have forgotten that his world was bigger then just our family. It is so incredible to me to hear how many people who have been blessed by this wonderful man. I feel honored to be his daughter. I did not realize how much I would miss him. He was a good listener. He was generous beyond his means, always putting others before himself. He would have strangers over for Sunday dinner, bring home stray dogs and cats and pick up hitchhikers while us four kids crowded in the back seat. My heart aches for him. But what peace I have because i know where this man is today! I love you dad!

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Our lives are richer because of knowing Ray Lovejoy! His generosity and love made Kris and I always feel like family. Ray supported us in our newly wedded life with jobs and appliances... But most of all with a Fathers heart of love.

Dear all Lovejoy family, sorry to hear about your dad. Brought back many memories of him and all of you. He was always helpful and caring. We bought our first appliances from his store and carpet as well, but most importantly was out times at church that were precious. What a legacy he has left I. His children and grandchildren that are following The Lord. Bless you all. Much love, Paul and Jane Dow

Miss you, Dad....your sweet smile, how you would always hold my hand in your big warm hand, your goofiness, even in hard times. How you never missed an opportunity to tell me you loved me. Your prayers at our weekly family dinners. You are missed, but I have peace knowing we will see you again. I know you are with Jesus and have no pain or suffering any longer. See you there someday!