Uncle Ray

By: Susan Posey

I first met Ray and Linda when they still lived on 30th Street and Tyler took me to their home for dinner for approval.  I remember there being a very lively discussion that night but the best part – I didn’t have to say much of anything!  I must have passed muster because fast forward a year or two and Ray was a groomsman in our wedding. For Tyler and me, it was one of the happiest days of our lives, surrounded by the people we loved the most.

Fast forward another 26 years, two children and three dogs later, Ray and Linda have been central to our lives every step of the way, particularly in their interest in Grace and Jack’s development. There are so many wonderful memories – gravy bowls, special birthdays and amazing dinners at the beautiful Tiernan home. As we raised our respective families, Ray and Linda could always be counted on for camaraderie and good counsel.  Ray, in particular, was ever ready with advice, whether solicited or not.  “Often wrong, never in doubt,” I think he said of himself. In reality, he was almost ALWAYS right.

I was very touched that Ray was so supportive of our decision to have my mother move in with us a couple of years ago. To prepare for her coming we did a kitchen renovation which Ray took great interest in. I did painstaking research on all the details and was particularly happy with the refrigerator I had chosen.  Upon observing the finished product, his first comment was, “That refrigerator has to go.”  Needless to say, the refrigerator is still there.

It’s hard to imagine the world without Ray’s irreplaceable presence. He will be in our hearts and thoughts always.