Memories of Raymond "Ray" Charles Huettner

In memory of

Raymond "Ray" Charles Huettner

Baltimore, MD, USA

1945 - August 6, 2020

1945 - Aug 6, 2020

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Chesna Gore

Hard to believe it's been this long since you left! You would be so proud of your grandchildren! I was thinking about you while at Mom's for the 4th of July remembering you and the kids fishing. They caught a ton! Your spirit lives with all of us. We miss you...

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Robert Williams

Wonderful memory. I am still hoping someone has a photo of Ray and Leslie together. I used to hang with them... Read more Wonderful memory. I am still hoping someone has a photo of Ray and Leslie together. I used to hang with them at Fells Point where... Read more Wonderful memory. I am still hoping someone has a photo... Read more

Jenny Strain

Dear Robert. I knew both Ray and Leslie but not while they were still together. I so wish I had a Photo of... Read more Dear Robert. I knew both Ray and Leslie but not while they were still together. I so wish I had a Photo of the 2 of them but I... Read more Dear Robert. I knew both Ray and Leslie but not while... Read more

Jenny Strain

We miss you Ray. John and I were just talking about you yesterday. You are the only person we know , that wasn't a dentist, with the Artistic talent to make Human teeth.We are still so impressed. Love You !

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Chesna Gore

Robert Williams

Just received a note asking what I remember most about Ray. I knew Ray and his second wife, Leslie, from hanging out in Fell's Point. He was a free spirited and congenial fellow. I used to sail in and out of Baltimore on oil tankers in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Music was a common bond. E.J. Buggs and all the other places that featured local bands. I play guitar. Would love to have a photo of them for my scrap book.

I can be reached at robertrswwilliams@yahoo.com

Thanks for the memories Ray! Hope you are resting with that big smile on your face!

Robert the Sailor Man........

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Jenny Strain

John and I still miss you popping in for dinner and to tell us a new story. We miss your homemade Greeting cards.

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Chesna Gore

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Chesna Gore

We miss your calls, your singing and your fishing lessons. Keep singing in heaven.... We miss your calls, your singing and your fishing lessons. Keep singing in heaven.... We miss your calls, your singing and your fishing lessons.... Read more

Robert Williams

I was a close friend of Ray and his second wife Leslie Billmire. Years ago, while in the Navy and then Merchant... Read more I was a close friend of Ray and his second wife Leslie Billmire. Years ago, while in the Navy and then Merchant Marine, I lost... Read more I was a close friend of Ray and his second wife Leslie... Read more

Chesna Gore

One year ago today you left us to go to heaven. We think of you everyday Grandpa Ray. I miss you....Chesna

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Jenny Strain

Your whole Family misses you. Your whole Family misses you. Your whole Family misses you.

Robert Williams

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Ruthie McD

My condolences to Raymond "Ray"'s family. I first Ray when I lived at 518 Virginia Ave. in Towson around 1975-1977. Ray lived across the street in a kind of communal house. I was 21 at the time, Ray was 31. He was a smooth talker with lots of charisma and he swept me off my feet. He showed me his paintings 😁, took me fishing and often cooked for me. Above all, Ray told non-stop stories about his music, art, family, John Waters, his escapades, hopes and dreams. He related to the “Wild and Wonderful” West Virginia license plates. In time we lost touch. Coincidentally, years later my ex-husband and Ray played music together for a short time. My ex called and told me that Ray had cancer but I didn’t hear anything more for a couple years. I googled him on a whim recently and sadly his obituary appeared. I will always remember him. That’s a great memorial video. Thank you.

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Jenny Strain

Contact me Ruthie if you can Contact me Ruthie if you can Contact me Ruthie if you can

Victoria Seidel

My deepest condolences to the family. I will never forget Ray's generosity and fighting spirit. Ray was a handsome man and very particular about his beautiful head of hair. I was his life time hairstylists and friend. I am grateful knowing him.

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Chesna Gore

Victoria, thank you for bring so kind to my Father. He was so particular about his hair! He spoke highly... Read more Victoria, thank you for bring so kind to my Father. He was so particular about his hair! He spoke highly of you. Thank you again... Read more Victoria, thank you for bring so kind to my Father.... Read more

Karl Baake

Ray came out to the Friday Night Music at Carol's Western Wear(in the warehouse) to check it out, because I played there in the "band", Dan & Cil Pohland-aka The Singing Sweethearts- sang there, AND the late, great piano player Rich Butcher played in the "band" too. Rich and Ray used to play together in a band at The Beach Club, 9th Street in O.C. Md. & hadn't seen each other since, but spoke fondly of one another to me, who'd realized their past connection from circumstantial discourse. Seeing them connect made me feel glad to be alive & that I loved them both, especially since I was too young to get in the Club way back then, but had realized I'd heard them before knowing either of them while sitting, listening, & strumming guitar out on the boardwalk. That night Ray sang Green Grass of Home, promted by me hearing the Po'Boys do it at Night of 100 Elvis many times, and 4 or 5 other tunes, he & Rich gaining momentum as, I assume, they covered old ground. Now, with both of them beyond this mortal realm, I'm reminded of the Righteous Brothers tune: In Heaven There's a Hell of a Band.

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John Sankonis

Shared a heart

Warren Cherry

Shared a heart

Christine Treptow

Ray's celebration of life video. Happy Birthday Ray❣ https://youtu.be/DwZU0c9nnGg

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Warren Cherry

Comments:

Chesna Gore

Thank you Chris! Thank you Chris! Thank you Chris!

Karl Baake

Thank you SO much for th video, it brought back lots of fragmented memory bits and gave me a scope of emotional... Read more Thank you SO much for th video, it brought back lots of fragmented memory bits and gave me a scope of emotional context which ... Read more Thank you SO much for th video, it brought back lots... Read more

Linda Raines

I met Ray in 1982 when he showed up at a party at my apartment in 1982 in his red and white striped pirate shirt. We were all immediately captivated by his killer smile and wit, and devilish pirate charms. That led to many late nights in the dark corners of Baltimore with John Kinsley when we were young enough to not even leave the house until 11 pm, Friday nights at the Club Charles, a very different Fells Point, the music and Ray’s hauntingly beautiful voice. In between yes of course the fishing. Noah do you remember that log cabin trip in Garrett County we all took to fish the Youghigheny? And Chesna I have a great photo of you, Noah and Ray in a most unusual boat at the Shore that you guys built which somehow actually floated. In a time when the planet is questioning the way we all are living in it, I think about Ray and how he stayed true to his path in life, and touched so many of us with his thoughts, art and soulful voice. Counting on you to be shaking things up wherever you are now my friend, the opportunities for mischief are endless.

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Warren Cherry

Christine Treptow

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Chesna Gore

Linda, you are the sweetest. Thank you! Linda, you are the sweetest. Thank you! Linda, you are the sweetest. Thank you!

Carolee Calo

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Karl Baake

My name is Karl, and I met Ray in the mid 70's at May Avenue in Towson. We quickly bonded through mutual appreciation of words, music, art, and energy, connecting the dots through time and space as if in mutual trust and confidence that anything could be expressed about any aspect of life's experience without any worry about esoteric confusions or misgivings. In many retrospect ways, Ray was an enigma. I never knew much about where he lived. who he was with or married to at any given time, where/how he got money, and it never really mattered, because what we shared was wavelength, not details, and camaraderie without definition. I do know Ray was cool, had great pirate laugh and humor, and artistic\intuitive talent that almost scared me more than once. I shall miss the chance meetings with Ray and connecting those dots, in the name of Love, with respect to implicit and mutual Understanding, and in so doing, reaching for The Divine imparted in any moment of existence, especially if you try to share it's inspiration. God Bless Ray, a kind person, and one whose magic dared one to consider... +Kudos to John K. for such a personal and well written memorial, that last paragraph nails my sentiment. AND to Don L. for the video, AND to John S. & Jenny for hosting the Celebration, which I'll not be able to attend. Noah and Carol, see you at Night of 100 Elvis Love, Karl

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Warren Cherry

Christine Treptow

Kelly Lane

What a great guy. I’ve known him for 30+ years, always a kind & gentle soul. The last time I saw Ray was in the parking lot of Southside Shopping Center last fall. Always quick with a smile, he never complained to me, tho I could tell things were not quite right. I will miss him dearly. I’d be there to celebrate his life if I was not such a covid risk. I feel for the family and friends of Ray. There is a hole in Baltimore’s art community.

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Warren Cherry

Ray and I shared the stage at Night of 100 Elvises many times and collaborated on songs to be performed with Shakin’ & Stirred. Ray was a great mentor and we became good friends & musical cohorts over the years. I loved his original songs which he had on tape and also his artwork. Funny, dark off center stuff that reminded me of Gahan Wilson. He would laugh his ass off as he looked through the collection. Actually we probably met in the Mt. Royal Tavern many moons ago now that I think if it. And an extraordinary raconteur, the stories! He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Rest In Peace Ray 🎼

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Christine Treptow

Thomas E. Carson

As a fellow "front man", I had the pleasure of working with Ray on many occasions and always found him to be a true professional who had tons of talent and a deep desire to perform for his audiences on a higher level than most. RIP Ray! We will miss you.

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Warren Cherry

Christine Treptow

john kinsley

I knew Ray for over 50 years. From his early days as Morgan and the Pirates through all of his musical manifestations to his endless appearances with the po'boys at Elvis. I didn't know his grandfatherly nick names, "weaver" or "babs" - wish I did, I could of gotten some milage out of them.
Ray the fisherman. He tried his best to get me hooked on fishing. He took me to Loch Raven a bunch of times. Thinking that if I could only catch a fish I would be hooked he would have someone to fish with all Summer. I never caught a thing, and squiggly worms, not for me.
Our adventures in the evenings after the sun went down and the fish were asleep were much more exciting. Lots of stories from those days; dimly lit stories to be told when the children aren't around. But the story I like best that Ray told me happened in the bright light of Florida.
Ray had a gig at the Tropicana in Miami Beach in the late 60's. One night his boss asked him to sing in the "back" room. He did, and in the audience was Frank Sinatra. Sinatra appreciated Ray's set and asked the bartender to "get that boy a suit and a haircut and bring him back." Well, all of us who knew Ray know that Sinatra was asking the impossible. Ray wouldn't have cut his hair even if Sinatra had promised to do a duet with him if he did. Roads not taken.
The road Ray did take touched many people and left a lasting impression and fond remembrances for us who knew Ray. Hats off my friend for living a life of your choosing. I will always have fond memories of the years we hung out together. So long old friend.

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Warren Cherry

Christine Treptow

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Chesna Gore

Great story to tell the grandkids! Thanks John! Great story to tell the grandkids! Thanks John! Great story to tell the grandkids! Thanks John!

Joe Vaccarino

I met Ray at the R&B Jam reunions. He often called to invite me as a guest to the Night of a Thousand Elvis's events. Ray had a great personality and I was honored to be a friend.

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Don Lehnhoff

Warren Cherry

Don Lehnhoff

2012, Padonia Station in Timonium, MD

Ray was as great a guy as we was a singer. He participated in every one of our Baltimore Jams starting in 2001 and was a consistent supporter with his talent and his presence.

This is a YouTube video of Ray singing at the last Jam on October 20, 2012. When I asked him what song he wanted to sing this was his request ... he said it's a song he had always wanted to sing. With the Big Band on stage to back him up, this was the perfect opportunity. This is Ray singing, "After the Lights Go Down Low."

https://youtu.be/QBCecBW1VeM

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Warren Cherry

Amy Giggey

Kerra Holtgren

Comments:

Chesna Gore

Thank you, Don. What a great video! Thank you, Don. What a great video! Thank you, Don. What a great video!

Benjamin Kowarski

RayRay will be missed. It was even fun not catching anything with him at Loch Raven😀 RayRay will be missed. It was even fun not catching anything with him at Loch Raven😀 RayRay will be missed. It was even fun not catching... Read more

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society shares our sincerest condolences for your loss. If you need support during this difficult time, please reach out to our helpline, available 24/7 at 1-800-227-2345. We deeply appreciate your support of our mission.

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Tony Uleckas

tony uleckas known Ray since the Elvis show started 1994 - had many great memories with him ! RIP ol buddy... Read more tony uleckas known Ray since the Elvis show started 1994 - had many great memories with him ! RIP ol buddy ! tony uleckas known Ray since the Elvis show started... Read more