Ray W. Linn

Ray W Linn joined his beloved son, Michael, brother Harold and parents, Robert and Ruth in heaven on November 25 at the age of 96. He leaves behind his loving wife of 73 years, Kathryn, children; Martin (Kimberly), Mark (Betsy), Marsha Erisman (Charles, Jr) and his fourth son, Dwight "Leon" Speas. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who brought him such pride and joy; Dr. Jaime Brown (Daniel, son; Archer) Dana Bailey (Robert), Jantzen (Kimberly, daughter; MaCenna), Krystle Atwood (Adam, sons; Bennett and Blair), Jeffrey (Annie), Jonathan (Emily), Lauren Jordan (Jeffrey, daughter;Livia, sons; Nash and Wyatt) and Kelly Prachniak (Jad, daughter; Emilia). He is also survived by brothers Miles "Kenny" (Jane) and Galen "Gene" (Carolyn). Ray was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania in 1927. He graduated from Shippensburg High School and enlisted in the Army in 1945. Upon the end of WWII, he was honorably discharged and enrolled at Shippensburg State College, now Shippensburg University, to pursue a college education. Athletics played an important role in his high school and college life, playing football, basketball and baseball. His love of athletics led him to follow his lifelong dream of being a "teacher coach" upon his graduation in 1950, with a degree in Mathematics and Chemistry. His teaching and coaching career led him to Port Jervis, New York, West Reading, Pennsylvania, and Audubon, New Jersey before he settled his family in Shillington, Pennsylvania. In 1956, Ray began his storied career as teacher and head football coach at the newly formed Governor Mifflin School District, later becoming Athletic Director. Ray often called those years the "maroon and golden" years for athletics, especially football, at Mifflin. Under his tutelage, his Mustangs earned eight Championships, 11 straight winning seasons and he was honored with three Coach of the Year awards. He was selected to the Governor Mifflin Hall of Fame, Berks County Hall of Fame, Wyomissing Football Hall of Fame and Pennsylvania Football Hall of Fame. He was a member of District III Athletic committee and Berks County Athletic Association. Ray would be the first to tell you he was most proud of the fine young men he guided on and off the field to be outstanding people. Outside of work and in retirement, Ray enjoyed music, especially Big Band, playing golf, including hitting several holes in ones, handicapping horse races and going to Penn National, and traveling. When not out and about, you would find him in his backyard tending to the garden, the envy of the neighborhood, or critiquing football and baseball games on tv. He is best known by his grandchildren for his witty humor, poems and wedding blessings. Many holidays and birthdays were celebrated with family, just as he wanted, where we shared many stories, laughter and second helpings of Pap's delicious food, made better with butter! His words of wisdom often inspired us to treat others with kindness and respect, take care of our Mother Earth and live our lives with a purpose. Ray wanted to leave the world a better place and he has and we will continue to carry on his legacy. A Celebration of Life will be held January 27, 2024 at 11 am at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 S. Waverly Street, Shillington. A reception will follow at Governor Mifflin High School. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Linn Family Scholarship ? Governor Mifflin Education Foundation, 10 South Waverly Street, Shillington, Pennsylvania 19607 Donations can also be made by visiting: https://bit.ly/46Fahae The Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Shillington is assisting the Linn family. www.kleefuneralhome.com