Raymond ''Ray'' O. Wagner
June 15, 1932 - June 17, 2004
Obituary
Raymond “Ray” O. Wagner
Born June 15, 1932 in Seattle, WA; died unexpectedly June 17, 2004 in Seattle, WA at the age of 72 years. Ray retired from US West after 40 years of service. He continued in the communications field as a private consultant. Ray excelled as an athlete and was known as an outstanding fast pitch softball player in the northwest. He was a gentleman on and off the field. Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 20 plus years, Marie Wagner; daughter Beckie Bob Jensen, son Randy Debbie Wagner; brothers Tom Evelyn and David Emma Wagner; children of marriage Carrie Kevin Sieler, Theresa Bill Thomas, and Jeffrey Pickett; former spouse and dear friends Janice Marc Stankey and daughter-in-law Linda Wagner, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son Rodney Wagner. A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held on Saturday June 26, 2004 between the hours of 1:00 – 5:00pm as an open house at the home of Tom and Evelyn Wagner, 1429 SW 296th St., Federal Way, 253 839-0564. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the charity of choice.
The best all-around athlete to ever come out of South Kitsap High. Condolances and prayers to his family
My sympathies go out to all the immediate family. I know how hard it is to lose a loved parent. God bless you.
Your cousin
Linda
Dear Family
I will always remember Ray for his smile, and laugh. The way he always made me feel like family. Love Debbie
RAY,
PHASE SIX WILL MISS YOU AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOU DID FOR US.
KIM
My thoughts and prayers are extended to Ray’s family. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends that love him.
Dad – I called you “Ray” all these years but always thought of you as “Dad.” I cannot conceive of a future without you in it, but know that you would want us to live life to the fullest, to laugh and love and take care of Mom. We’ll do that for you and for us. I am a better person for having had you in my life and I want you to know how much I will miss you. My girls will miss you desperately and I’m sure they hope you have a really large ice cream cone about now! You never did like the way I planned events, so I see that you’ve done all right planning this last one on your own. I love you, Dad.
All of the Fastpitch community sends it’s condolences. A great player a better person
All of the Fastpitch community sends it’s condolences. A great player a better person
Great guy had a lot of good times,Will be missed. Will say a prayer for him.
Great guy had are good times,
will be missed. WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR HIM.
To ALL of Rays familiy, I am so sorry for your loss. I have such good memories of my Uncle from when I was younger, I especially loved his laugh! Ray I would like to thank you so much these last years in helping take care and entertaining my dad, he truly enjoyed it. You will be missed. Love ya Carmen xoxox
I remember your great sense of humor at work when we were with Pacific NW Bell. Even tho I moved to another dept. in the change over to US West, still got to talk with you in the halls of Bell Plaza. Will always remember your funny comments about retirement. All my condolences to Ray’s family & to let them know how I’ll miss him as a co-worker & friend. Worked with Ray for several years in BIR & got to know how easy going he was. He was a gentleman & had the best considerations in dealing not only with customers, but with his co-workers as well. All my prayers for the family.
My wishes to Ray’s family. I knew of him through Tommy, he was a fine gentleman. Condolences. Steve
I was always so proud to be Ray’s cousin. We grew up together in Port Orchard. I was his #1 sports fan at South Kitsap High, where he excelled in all sports. How we liked to “play catch” as kids, or see how far Ray could hit the ball, with me doing the “shagging”. I was on your team, Ray and will miss you and that smile, but have the memories that I can call on.
Our paths crossed again at Glen Acres following all those years on the ball field. Ray touched so many lives and will be missed by all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marie and the family. It hurts so much when it is so unexpected.
Take care of yourselves.
Lyla & Ralph
I have sweet memories of Ray`s younger years.From the time he was born.They will always be with me.
Papa-
There are so many things to say, but I know I wont be able to say them all.I love you and will miss you bunches.I am so proud and honored that I got to be one of your grandkids. You taught me so much over the years and I’ll never forget it. I am so glad you got to witness the birth of my son, and will tall him what it was like to only get “small” ice cream cones. We will forever keep your loving and respected memory alive. I love you Papa!
Nikki XOXOXOXO
Marie Mom- I will always treasure the wonderful memories I have of Ray. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I have never met a more generous person, with among other tings his time, assets and love. He also had a great sense of humor, sort of twisted like mine. No one could make me laugh like him. I say this in all seriousness, “I want to be like Ray when I grow up”.
I was just the husband of his stepdaughter. Some lesser men would not have given our little family much concern. But, it speaks to the loving-kind character of this man, that he treated us as his own. We never felt like second-class citizens of his family, but we were looked after with the tenderness of a father. It was an honor to call him “Dad”. I will forever love you and miss you, Ray.
Daddy Ray: I miss you so much I ache with it! You accepted me as one of yours the very first time Mom introduced us, which speaks of what great, loving man you were! You have given me so many wonderful memories; you taught me how to laugh, how to love and respect people, and you encouraged mine and mom’s get togethers. My kids miss their Papa, but we will keep your memory and spirit alive, for us and them, and will do all we can to help mom through this painful time. I love you and miss you!
Tree
Where to begin, 53 years in each other lives is a very long time. We may have parted as spouses but never ended being friends. We all had a very special bond, you, Marie, Marc and I. We had some really great times together. We have a wonderful caring family and friends. You were a major part of all of our lives and the glue that held everything together. You will be greatly missed and have left a large void in our lives. YOU WILL BE FOREVER AND ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS!
Love Marc & Janice
Gee, how does this happen, my cousin has died and I hardly got to know him. I’m 60 years old now, not that far behind you Ray. You and Janice babysat me when I was nine and living with my dad. I thnk that was the last time I ever saw you. What a shame. When I get to heaven I’ll look you up and we can catch up on all that we missed. If you don’t see me there Ray, well.. at least you’ll know where I am.
Of course my sympathies to your family though I’ve only met David and Tommy.
Larry
From my first breathe of life to your last, we were together.
I was always so proud to be your daughter. You were strong, handsome…my hero.
I Love you Dad and will be missing you until we are together again. Beckie
praying for you Marie, if you need anything please call.
he was a great man.
I PLAYED LEGION BALL WITH RAY IN PORT ORCHARD DURING THE LATE FORTY’S. WE WERE SPONSORED BY THE ELK”S CLUB. BPOE WE SAID IT STOOD FOR “BEST PLAYER”S ON EARTH.
RAY WAS PITCHER, 3RD AND ANY OTHER POSITION WE NEEDED.
RAY AND I SHARED A “TUB” IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE OF PNB. A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH. HE INTRODUCED ME TO ED SUTTON WHO IS NOW MY HUSBAND. WE CHERISH HIS MEMORY.
My family and I send our deepest sympathy and prayers to you. I have fond memories of Ray and his family. May you find comfort and strength in the Lord and in your family and friends. Ray’s in a place we all seek and will someday join him as well as other loved one’s. Find Love and Peace in all you do. Thank’s again Ray for all those wonderful memories of my childhood. You will be missed here on earth. God Bless
I never met my cousin Ray. I finally “found” him this past year, and we had the opportunity to exchange a few emails and take joy in discovering that we each existed. Ray and I share our grandfather Orval Runyon…him through Orval’s daughter Lucile and me through Orval’s other daughter, Lucile’s half-sister, Vertie. From the memorials that others have posted, I feel cheated that we did not have a chance to meet; Ray reminds me much of my mother and brother who both shared Ray’s love of life, sense of humor, concern for others and deep integrity…traits perhaps passed down, at least in part, from grandpa Runyon. Ray, I hope you are happy to be with your mom Lucile, whom you never knew in life, and perhaps someday I’ll have the pleasure of meeting you in the same fashion. Rest in peace cousin.
From the deepest of oceans to the bluest of skies
To the best of scotch whiskey and ryes
From a babies sweet smile to the best honey bee
That is how much you mean to me.
Remember this?? I’ll love you till we meet again, then I’ll hold you and love you more!!
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your loved one…I know it is difficult to lose someone so close to you…I never had a chance to meet ray but I would have loved too but by the sounds of the letters in here he sounds like a great man!!! I emailed his daughter Becky to please email me back …if someone else close to Ray could please email me back I would appreciate it….I would like to talk to someone about how I know Ray..thank you and god bless……
Papa,
You touched my life in so many ways. I learned many every day life lessons, but most of all you showed me that when God gives me a man to love, I want him to be just like you. You were not only a wonderful grandfather, but a friend that will always be in my heart. I will forever have the memories of you and the things you taught me to remember you by. God gave you to us for a reason. God blessed us with a man who not only loved us unconditionally but a man that was easy to love. You were everything and still are. I love you whole-heartedly, and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving me from the very beginning.