Gary Norman Ray

4/8/1941 ~ 5/27/2020

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, Gary Norman Ray passed away on May 27, 2020 at his home in Ephraim, Utah. Gary, age 79, spent his last days surrounded by family who loved him dearly.

He was born in Anaconda, Montana on April 8th, 1941 to Norman Curtis and Birdie Mae Langley Ray. He attended Brigham Young University where he met his wife of 56 years, Nancy Kay Montgomery. They were married on December 20, 1963 in the Los Angeles Temple.

After graduating with a degree in Design and Drafting, Gary worked for Ryan Aeronautical in San Diego, CA. In 1969, Gary and his family moved to Ephraim, Utah where he began a long career of entrepreneurial pursuits. Skyline Dairy, Piccadilly Enterprises and Skyline Auto were his passion and he worked hard and met many people along the way. He was a master of connecting with people and building relationships. Every year the elementary students would take field trips to Piccadilly and he was officially known as “The Piccadilly Man”.

Gary was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. He loved to tell the story of the day two missionaries in black suits changed his life. He served as Elder’s Quorum President, Ward Clerk, and in Scouting and Young Men’s organizations. He loved coaching in the young men’s basketball program.

Gary was a car enthusiast, a licensed private pilot, and loved boating and waterskiing. Spending time with his family brought him joy. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy of Ephraim, Utah. Gary has six children: Lisa (Rod) Arnold, of West Jordan; Steven (Chrissy) Ray of Ephraim; Curtis (Tracy) Ray of Ephraim; Julie (Russel) Stevens of Ephraim; Logan (Margaret) Ray of Ephraim; and Jo Lene (Arlund) Lewis of Salem.

He was so proud of his 25 grandchildren and 10 (soon to be 11) great grandchildren. His posterity includes: Jacey (Adam) Cluff and Lilah, Hudson and Oliver; Bryson Arnold; Taylor (Brittnie) Ray and Theo; Breanna (Trystan) Daniels; Kierra, Emma and Dalton Ray; Kailey, Kenra, Kendall and Kymber Ray; Alisa (Anthony) Severson and Lily and Oliver; Shelby (Robert) Lund and TayLee with a new little one to arrive any day now; Ashlie (Kovic) Bailey and Hazel and Harley; Alex and Braxton Stevens; James, Jesse, Jakob and Joey Ray; Kayden (Hanna) Lewis and Ivy; Derek and Brandon Lewis.

Gary is also survived by his brother, Larry Ray of Elk Ridge; Sister in Law, Judy Ray of Hurricane; and sisters, Darlene (Dave) Hillin of St George, Linda Burrington of Stevensville, Montana, and Cindy (Ken) Stretch of BigFork, Montana. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Russell Ray and his grandsons Keaton Ray and Jonah Ray and his beloved dog Curly Sue.

A graveside service will be held Saturday May 30th at 11:00 a.m. in the Ephraim City Cemetery. There will be a viewing Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary in Mt. Pleasant, UT (96 N 100 W) Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com