Memories of Colin Joseph Ray

In memory of

Colin Joseph Ray

Ashland, OR

November 11, 1986 - October 5, 2022

Nov 11, 1986 - Oct 5, 2022

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Margaret Bohn

Shared a heart

Margaret Bohn

I was thinking about him today. We still talk about him often. He left an indelible mark in our hearts. My thoughts are with the family today and often.

Love, Margaret

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Rita Thomson

Wow, came across this via the Facebook. My family is sad that you all have lost someone so precious. May God grace you each day with his presence and being encouraged that he will be there when the Lord returns and restores the Earth, Stephen and Rita Thomson & Zeb Houston and family! God bless you all. Colorado Springs, CO

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AN AD

2021, Ashland, OR, USA

I worked with Colin a Peerless Restaurant. I have some photos and videos of him to share with the family if you'd like.

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Betsy Ray

Comments:

Betsy Ray

Yes please! Thank you so much!! My cell: 214-944-7465 Email: ms.elizabeth.ray@gmail.com Yes please! Thank you so much!! My cell: 214-944-7465 Email: ms.elizabeth.ray@gmail.com Yes please! Thank you so much!! My cell: 214-944-7465... Read more

Joshua Masters

2023, Ashland, OR, USA

Hello Ray Family,

My most sincere condolences to you, as Colin was a great friend of mine here in Ashland. Colin was a fun and energetic young man who loved nature and the Lord. He will forever be missed.

Please contact me 541-787-1404, I have some videos of Colin when he came to sing with our band a few times that I would like to share with your group, and I am not able to upload here for some reason.

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Betsy Ray

Comments:

Betsy Ray

Joshua thank you so very much for your words this is precious to our family and felt. I'm reaching out to... Read more Joshua thank you so very much for your words this is precious to our family and felt. I'm reaching out to you now. Bless you!!... Read more Joshua thank you so very much for your words this is... Read more

Ian Evans

To the Rays,

The world was brighter with Colin in it. He was funny, sweet, and caring. Although we haven't spoken in years, I do remember his last message which was a voicemail. He told me he loved me and he just wanted me to know that. Colin was a just a loving guy.

We are all very blessed to have had him in our lives. While we all languish the suddenness of his passing, there is comfort knowing he was received in the arms of Jesus. I'll be praying for you all, and cherishing his memory.

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Betsy Ray

Mark Bukovich

I have many memories with Colin and the Ray family. You were all very much a part of my life since I was very little. I remember blanket-and-chair tents in the meeting room of your house, playing with micro machines with Colin on the floor of the kitchen, and playing with Lego upstairs among many other things. Colin gave me my first Martial Arts lessons during high school. I remember Colin being a very thoughtful person, but also a person of action. I still remember how when I asked him if he liked a certain videogame, he would say that he would rather do the real thing than play a videogame about it. I can't remember what videogame we were talking about, but I am still impressed by this idea today. I feel like that might give some indication of what I mean by "a person of action".

My most memorable experience with Colin was also my most recent and occurred in Dallas not long before he moved to the Northwest. After the church meeting in Dallas, we were having a feast, and I was waiting in line for food with Colin. There were many things we could have talked about, martial arts, work, etc, but what Colin really wanted to do was pray for old friends that he had grown up with. I was touched by the enthusiasm and sincerity in his praying for others. He had such a pure heart and genuinely cared about those he knew, especially that they would come to love the Lord Jesus in the same way that Colin did. In the short time I was able to be around Colin before he moved to the Northwest, I always appreciated his energy and sincerity.

I'm very sad and shocked to hear that Colin is "asleep" as the Bible would say. I will really miss him, but I know that he is in paradise with the Lord whom he loved.

My heart aches to think of how difficult this is for you Greg, Chris, Ryan, and Betsy. I hope that these small remembrances of Colin have offered some small amount of comfort. Much love from the Bukovich family.

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Betsy Ray

Michael Ray

Colin was a terrific person, as everyone who is on this site for him knows. I think that's one of the things that makes his loss so difficult to take. I wasn't with him that many times, but I remember one thing about him was that he was very curious and, especially when he was young, say 10 or 12, he would have endless interesting questions (almost to the point of being a pest sometimes) about human beings, history, how things work, nature, and the meaning of life. I think because of this, he had such a strong faith, that he became such a rock and so much fun and also comforting to be with. I can imagine that where he is now, he is in wonder, having questions and making new discoveries. And because of that energy he had, I believe he is with us right now and that it is our job in our grief to get the sensitivity and the love to accept and enjoy his company in a new way where he can guide us and help us to see how much he is present and loving us. There is a reading from the Jewish tradition that expresses the new way that we can experience Colin now from our hearts and our love. It is said from the perspective of the one who has died but still has a place and existence in our lives. It goes like this (with some slight editing):
==========================
When I die
If you need to weep
Cry for someone
Walking the street beside you.

And when you need me
Put your arms around others
And give them what you need to give me.

You can love me most by letting
Hands touch hands, and
Souls touch souls.

You can love me most by
Sharing your joys and
Multiplying your good deeds.

You can love me most by
Letting me live in your eyes
And not on your mind.

And remember,
Love doesn’t die
People do.
So when all that’s left of me is love
Give me away
=========================
--Colin's Great-Uncle Mike

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Betsy Ray

Anita Fillner

Dear Cousins,

We are so saddened for your loss, and we send our sincere condolences. We think of you all constantly and pray for God’s peace to cover you during this time. We’re holding the memory of Colin’s beautiful smile dear in our hearts forever.

The Fillner Family

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