John Ray Obituary
January 20, 1953 to January 16, 2026
John Walter Ray, Jr. was born on January 20, 1953, in Lynn, Massachusetts. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Salt Lake City, surrounded by family, after a long battle with chronic illness. He was 72 years old, just four days shy of his 73rd birthday.
John was a very strong man, fearless, resilient, and determined to live life on his own terms. He had a natural way of making everyone laugh, often without even trying. His usually inappropriate jokes, unmistakable Boston accent, endless funny YouTube clips, fart videos, and his completely unapologetic way of being himself are how we will always remember him.
He leaves behind the love of his life, his ex wife Mary Ray, his children Shannon (Clair), Danielle (David), Jason, and John (Erin), his grandchildren Kylie (Masen), Hunter, John John, Isaiah (Kira), Jaxson (Destinie), Jayda, Tyler (Justin), Analycia (Mario), Andreus (Ally), Kimmy, Richie, Benny, and Willy, and his great grandchildren Nevaeh, Mateo, and Ezrah.
John is also survived by his favorite fur baby, his cat Greyzie, whom he lovingly renamed Stinky.
He is further survived by his siblings Lisa, Kathy, Lori, and Michael, along with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Ray, his son Rico Velarde, and many other cherished friends and family members who went before him.
A private service will be held with immediate family. A celebration of life will follow, with details to come.
Losing him hurts more than words can say, but we take comfort in knowing John is finally at peace and no longer in pain. John, you put up such a good fight. We will miss you every day until we meet again.
We love you, you old buzzard.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
David Ray
Yesterday
Would like to express condolence on the passing of my friend and cousin Johnny. Remember building Go Karts with him and my father in the backyard of our home on High Rock Street. We would work for hours trying to get one to push around the backyard.
He later moved out west but still took the time out to call my father and I and share his unique sense of humor on our family growing up together through the good times and tough times we had together. So, hope he is at peace and laughing somewhere.
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Kathy Ray
January 30, 2026
So sorry to learn of John´s passing. I will pray for him and for his family.
Rest In Peace John.
Kathy
Lori Ray
January 29, 2026
My brother John was born an amazingly bright, funny, boy, with a lazy eye, that perhaps contributed to his self-deprecating charm, and goofy sense of humor.
Some early hard knocks, in his home town of "Lynn Lynn, The City of Sin," put him on a tough road early in life, but, to his credit, he "took a licking and kept on ticking," strong, brave and resilient, without feeling sorry for himself, and never losing his sense of humor.
He was a magical person who was smart enough to have a brilliant life, had the cards he was dealt been different, but, in spite of all his early troubles, he never became cynical or angry, and always saw the humor in life.
I believe he knew he came out a winner, with all he needed in life,
because of his beautiful family, there by his side to the end, with so much love that I´m sure "Johnny" would say he hit the jackpot in life.
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