~~~~~My friend Ray~~~~~
This picture on the right is Ray in France. He almost looks like he should be on a magazine cover, doesn't he? ---------------------------------------->
Ray was a good friend and classmate of mine. He moved to our town in 1966. We attended the same church and were in the same activities at school. We went on to college together in Champaign, Illinois after graduation from our high school in Saunemin Illinois.
Ray married Teresa on June 7, 2004 in Tavis, Texas, while he was in the hospital fighting his cancer.
Ray was a witty guy with a great smile, a great laugh, and a great personality. He also was a joker and could be a little rowdy, but that was part of his charm. Ray was a very close friend of mine. In fact, Ray was everybody's friend. He was one-of-a-kind.
Ray's father was the Principal of our high school. He preceded Ray in death in 1981. His mother was a lovely lady, who passed away at age 95 in 2017. Ray has 3 brothers and a sister, who all miss him very much.
My contact with Ray dwindled after college, as our lives moved in different directions. I would often hear about Ray from one of his family members. He eventually ended up in Texas, and I did see him a few times when he was home for visits. He was always glad to see me, and it was always nice to share a laugh with Ray.
I remember one snowy Christmas Eve, he was dashing into Wal-Mart as I was dashing out, and we literally ran into each other. He blew by me, and I said "Ray?" He turned around so surprised, and we just fell into a hug, laughing so hard as the snow was falling around us. He had just that second gotten into town for a quick Christmas visit, and here we both were, unexpectedly at the same time. It was a treasured moment with an old friend. It was the kind of moment that couldn't have turned out better if we had planned it.
I invited him to attend our class reunion in 2000, and he accepted, and flew back for it. What a great time! Everyone was so glad to see him again. He reconnected with everyone like he had never been gone. It was the best class reunion ever.
Later on, Ray was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. It was a huge shock to everyone. In typical style, Ray married his girlfriend, Teresa, in the hospital emergency room, right before he was whisked away for urgent surgery. His new bride spent their wedding night in the hospital waiting room, in the arms of her mother.
Ray and I emailed back and forth during his illness. I sent him an angel for luck, and he hung it on his IV pole. I remember being devastated when I learned of Ray's diagnosis, but I knew if anybody could fight it, Ray could.
And fight, he did.
He survived for over a year, after he was given only a short time to live. He fought a good fight, and managed to survive much longer than most people do with this type of cancer. Ray volunteered to let the doctors try new treatments at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He gave it his best shot. That was Ray.
Ray could sing and was a great dancer. He was adventurous, and jammed a lot of living into his short time on earth. He was a fun person, whose zest for life was evident in all he did. After he left Illinois, he traveled a lot, attended college in Texas, and I know Ray charmed people wherever he went. He left many people in various parts of the country, and the world, with sweet memories of the amazing person he was.
The pictured tree and memorial bench are dedicated to the memory of 4 classmates from Saunemin High School. All 4 died from cancer. The memorial was dedicated in 2006, after the death of Ray Ohmart. 100% of the surviving classmates contributed to make this memorial a reality.
Ray passed away in 2005, surrounded by his family and friends, at the home he shared with his wife in Texas.
His passing has left a void for so many people. His classmates will never forget him. His friends and family adored him. Ray was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to count Ray among my dearest friends.
Rest well Ray! Keep on dancing with the angels, until we all meet again!
This picture on the right is Ray in France. He almost looks like he should be on a magazine cover, doesn't he? ---------------------------------------->
Ray was a good friend and classmate of mine. He moved to our town in 1966. We attended the same church and were in the same activities at school. We went on to college together in Champaign, Illinois after graduation from our high school in Saunemin Illinois.
Ray married Teresa on June 7, 2004 in Tavis, Texas, while he was in the hospital fighting his cancer.
Ray was a witty guy with a great smile, a great laugh, and a great personality. He also was a joker and could be a little rowdy, but that was part of his charm. Ray was a very close friend of mine. In fact, Ray was everybody's friend. He was one-of-a-kind.
Ray's father was the Principal of our high school. He preceded Ray in death in 1981. His mother was a lovely lady, who passed away at age 95 in 2017. Ray has 3 brothers and a sister, who all miss him very much.
My contact with Ray dwindled after college, as our lives moved in different directions. I would often hear about Ray from one of his family members. He eventually ended up in Texas, and I did see him a few times when he was home for visits. He was always glad to see me, and it was always nice to share a laugh with Ray.
I remember one snowy Christmas Eve, he was dashing into Wal-Mart as I was dashing out, and we literally ran into each other. He blew by me, and I said "Ray?" He turned around so surprised, and we just fell into a hug, laughing so hard as the snow was falling around us. He had just that second gotten into town for a quick Christmas visit, and here we both were, unexpectedly at the same time. It was a treasured moment with an old friend. It was the kind of moment that couldn't have turned out better if we had planned it.
I invited him to attend our class reunion in 2000, and he accepted, and flew back for it. What a great time! Everyone was so glad to see him again. He reconnected with everyone like he had never been gone. It was the best class reunion ever.
Later on, Ray was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. It was a huge shock to everyone. In typical style, Ray married his girlfriend, Teresa, in the hospital emergency room, right before he was whisked away for urgent surgery. His new bride spent their wedding night in the hospital waiting room, in the arms of her mother.
Ray and I emailed back and forth during his illness. I sent him an angel for luck, and he hung it on his IV pole. I remember being devastated when I learned of Ray's diagnosis, but I knew if anybody could fight it, Ray could.
And fight, he did.
He survived for over a year, after he was given only a short time to live. He fought a good fight, and managed to survive much longer than most people do with this type of cancer. Ray volunteered to let the doctors try new treatments at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He gave it his best shot. That was Ray.
Ray could sing and was a great dancer. He was adventurous, and jammed a lot of living into his short time on earth. He was a fun person, whose zest for life was evident in all he did. After he left Illinois, he traveled a lot, attended college in Texas, and I know Ray charmed people wherever he went. He left many people in various parts of the country, and the world, with sweet memories of the amazing person he was.
The pictured tree and memorial bench are dedicated to the memory of 4 classmates from Saunemin High School. All 4 died from cancer. The memorial was dedicated in 2006, after the death of Ray Ohmart. 100% of the surviving classmates contributed to make this memorial a reality.
Ray passed away in 2005, surrounded by his family and friends, at the home he shared with his wife in Texas.
His passing has left a void for so many people. His classmates will never forget him. His friends and family adored him. Ray was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to count Ray among my dearest friends.
Rest well Ray! Keep on dancing with the angels, until we all meet again!
~~~~~My friend Ray~~~~~
This picture on the right is Ray in France. He almost looks like he should be on a magazine cover, doesn't he? ---------------------------------------->
Ray was a good friend and classmate of mine. He moved to our town in 1966. We attended the same church and were in the same activities at school. We went on to college together in Champaign, Illinois after graduation from our high school in Saunemin Illinois.
Ray married Teresa on June 7, 2004 in Tavis, Texas, while he was in the hospital fighting his cancer.
Ray was a witty guy with a great smile, a great laugh, and a great personality. He also was a joker and could be a little rowdy, but that was part of his charm. Ray was a very close friend of mine. In fact, Ray was everybody's friend. He was one-of-a-kind.
Ray's father was the Principal of our high school. He preceded Ray in death in 1981. His mother was a lovely lady, who passed away at age 95 in 2017. Ray has 3 brothers and a sister, who all miss him very much.
My contact with Ray dwindled after college, as our lives moved in different directions. I would often hear about Ray from one of his family members. He eventually ended up in Texas, and I did see him a few times when he was home for visits. He was always glad to see me, and it was always nice to share a laugh with Ray.
I remember one snowy Christmas Eve, he was dashing into Wal-Mart as I was dashing out, and we literally ran into each other. He blew by me, and I said "Ray?" He turned around so surprised, and we just fell into a hug, laughing so hard as the snow was falling around us. He had just that second gotten into town for a quick Christmas visit, and here we both were, unexpectedly at the same time. It was a treasured moment with an old friend. It was the kind of moment that couldn't have turned out better if we had planned it.
I invited him to attend our class reunion in 2000, and he accepted, and flew back for it. What a great time! Everyone was so glad to see him again. He reconnected with everyone like he had never been gone. It was the best class reunion ever.
Later on, Ray was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. It was a huge shock to everyone. In typical style, Ray married his girlfriend, Teresa, in the hospital emergency room, right before he was whisked away for urgent surgery. His new bride spent their wedding night in the hospital waiting room, in the arms of her mother.
Ray and I emailed back and forth during his illness. I sent him an angel for luck, and he hung it on his IV pole. I remember being devastated when I learned of Ray's diagnosis, but I knew if anybody could fight it, Ray could.
And fight, he did.
He survived for over a year, after he was given only a short time to live. He fought a good fight, and managed to survive much longer than most people do with this type of cancer. Ray volunteered to let the doctors try new treatments at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He gave it his best shot. That was Ray.
Ray could sing and was a great dancer. He was adventurous, and jammed a lot of living into his short time on earth. He was a fun person, whose zest for life was evident in all he did. After he left Illinois, he traveled a lot, attended college in Texas, and I know Ray charmed people wherever he went. He left many people in various parts of the country, and the world, with sweet memories of the amazing person he was.
The pictured tree and memorial bench are dedicated to the memory of 4 classmates from Saunemin High School. All 4 died from cancer. The memorial was dedicated in 2006, after the death of Ray Ohmart. 100% of the surviving classmates contributed to make this memorial a reality.
Ray passed away in 2005, surrounded by his family and friends, at the home he shared with his wife in Texas.
His passing has left a void for so many people. His classmates will never forget him. His friends and family adored him. Ray was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to count Ray among my dearest friends.
Rest well Ray! Keep on dancing with the angels, until we all meet again!
This picture on the right is Ray in France. He almost looks like he should be on a magazine cover, doesn't he? ---------------------------------------->
Ray was a good friend and classmate of mine. He moved to our town in 1966. We attended the same church and were in the same activities at school. We went on to college together in Champaign, Illinois after graduation from our high school in Saunemin Illinois.
Ray married Teresa on June 7, 2004 in Tavis, Texas, while he was in the hospital fighting his cancer.
Ray was a witty guy with a great smile, a great laugh, and a great personality. He also was a joker and could be a little rowdy, but that was part of his charm. Ray was a very close friend of mine. In fact, Ray was everybody's friend. He was one-of-a-kind.
Ray's father was the Principal of our high school. He preceded Ray in death in 1981. His mother was a lovely lady, who passed away at age 95 in 2017. Ray has 3 brothers and a sister, who all miss him very much.
My contact with Ray dwindled after college, as our lives moved in different directions. I would often hear about Ray from one of his family members. He eventually ended up in Texas, and I did see him a few times when he was home for visits. He was always glad to see me, and it was always nice to share a laugh with Ray.
I remember one snowy Christmas Eve, he was dashing into Wal-Mart as I was dashing out, and we literally ran into each other. He blew by me, and I said "Ray?" He turned around so surprised, and we just fell into a hug, laughing so hard as the snow was falling around us. He had just that second gotten into town for a quick Christmas visit, and here we both were, unexpectedly at the same time. It was a treasured moment with an old friend. It was the kind of moment that couldn't have turned out better if we had planned it.
I invited him to attend our class reunion in 2000, and he accepted, and flew back for it. What a great time! Everyone was so glad to see him again. He reconnected with everyone like he had never been gone. It was the best class reunion ever.
Later on, Ray was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. It was a huge shock to everyone. In typical style, Ray married his girlfriend, Teresa, in the hospital emergency room, right before he was whisked away for urgent surgery. His new bride spent their wedding night in the hospital waiting room, in the arms of her mother.
Ray and I emailed back and forth during his illness. I sent him an angel for luck, and he hung it on his IV pole. I remember being devastated when I learned of Ray's diagnosis, but I knew if anybody could fight it, Ray could.
And fight, he did.
He survived for over a year, after he was given only a short time to live. He fought a good fight, and managed to survive much longer than most people do with this type of cancer. Ray volunteered to let the doctors try new treatments at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He gave it his best shot. That was Ray.
Ray could sing and was a great dancer. He was adventurous, and jammed a lot of living into his short time on earth. He was a fun person, whose zest for life was evident in all he did. After he left Illinois, he traveled a lot, attended college in Texas, and I know Ray charmed people wherever he went. He left many people in various parts of the country, and the world, with sweet memories of the amazing person he was.
The pictured tree and memorial bench are dedicated to the memory of 4 classmates from Saunemin High School. All 4 died from cancer. The memorial was dedicated in 2006, after the death of Ray Ohmart. 100% of the surviving classmates contributed to make this memorial a reality.
Ray passed away in 2005, surrounded by his family and friends, at the home he shared with his wife in Texas.
His passing has left a void for so many people. His classmates will never forget him. His friends and family adored him. Ray was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to count Ray among my dearest friends.
Rest well Ray! Keep on dancing with the angels, until we all meet again!
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In memory of our dear friends and classmates.
From the Saunemin High School Class of 1970.
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