Raymond M. "Ray" James

Raymond Melvin James, 83, of Manchester, NH, passed away on Saturday June 8, 2024. He was born April 6, 1941, in Hartford, CT to parents Percy and Anna (Habern) James.
Ray completed his master's degree and went on to work as an electrical engineer. In the early days of his career, he helped to develop the antenna that assisted in the first landing on the moon. He spent the majority of his career working at Raytheon, and retired this past December 2023. Ray was known to friends as the 'King of the Party'. He loved to salsa dance and would travel anywhere and everywhere to dance. He was very active and enjoyed biking, walking, Pilates and kayaking. He enjoyed hiking and was a member of the 4000s footer club, having hiked all the 4000-foot mountains in NH. He loved down hill and cross country skiing. He liked to travel and had hoped to retire to Colombia.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Vasquez of Manchester, NH; his daughters Marcie James and her husband Yazid Aliouche of Nashua, NH, Andrea James of San Francisco, CA, his "Ghanian daughter" Letitia Acquah; his "little brother" Jeremy Anaya, who was like a son too him and his sister Evelyn Gregson.
He is predeceased by his loving first wife of 38 years Donna, his brother Bruce and his sister Shirley.
Family and friends are warmly welcomed to attend calling hours at the Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple St, Wilton, NH on Sunday June 16 from 5pm – 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donation be made in Ray's memory to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New Hampshire.