Ray Manley

Ray Manley September 4, 1921 - July 15, 2006 Ray Manley, a native Arizonan famous for his photographs of beautiful Arizona sunsets, has passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Cottonwood, Arizona to Mildred and Ray H. Manley. His interest in photography began as a young boy scout inspired by the red rock formations of the Verde Valley where he spent his childhood. This interest expanded to include the Navajo and Hopi Reservations which would later be shown to the world in the pages of Arizona Highways Magazine. He met his future wife Ruth while they both were attending NAU in Flagstaff. They were married on September 18, 1942 just before Ray entered the U.S. Navy. When he got out of the service, Ray took a job here in Tucson with Western Ways Photography. He later began his own photography studio, Ray Manley Commercial Photography with partners Naurice Koonce and Mickey Prim on east Broadway. They later built their own building on Tucson Blvd. expanding on their commercial photography to have portrait and movie divisions. During this time, Ray and his partners circled the globe photographing industrial sites for their many clients. Ray had opportunities on these trips to photograph some of the most scenic places and would expand on his love of scenic Arizona to include the world. He and Ruth spent months on many trips photographing with his large format 5 x 7 camera. These images appeared in publications such as Life, Look, National Geographic, TWA calendars and eventually his own books. These included World Travels, Indian Lands, and in partnership with his friend, trader and fellow collector Steve Getzwiller, The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving. He also published several other books on his favorite subject, the people, places and crafts of the Navajo and Hopi Indians. Ray and Ruth, along with his son Alan, daughter Carolyn, and faithful office manager Cindy Maxie, expanded into the new career of world tours. He designed a new building specifically for Ray Manley Tours and Alan's photo gallery from where tour groups were escorted to such beautiful places as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Europe, New Zealand, China, Antarctica and more. Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Ruth; his daughter Carolyn Robinson (Patrick); and son Alan (Claudia). He has five grandchildren, Kim Harayda (Mike) Valerie, Ashlee, Max and Julie Manley and six great-grandchildren, Chris Tolley, Katie, Emily and Erin Harayda and Jordan and Maggie Manley. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 E. Ft. Lowell Road. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Ray's name to Northminster Church or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME Dodge Chapel.