Louis A. “Gene” Ray

Louis A. “Gene” Ray died on November 17, 2011 after a brief illness. He is survived by his six daughters, Kathi, Karen, Karla, Kay, Kim and Krysti. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 62 years, Bettye, in December of 2010. Gene was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1927 and grew up in Evansville, Indiana. Immediately following World War II he served in the U.S. Army’s 14th Constabulary Regiment in Kitzingen, Germany. Gene and Bettye married in 1948 after his military discharge. When he was hired by the Boeing Company in 1957 they moved with their young family to Bellevue, Washington and later (1964) to Issaquah. Gene worked for Boeing for 33 years as a tool engineer and eventually as a specialist facilities engineer, responsible for evaluation and specification of computerized manufacturing equipment. In addition to his involvement with engineering and electronics, Gene had a life-long passion for the arts, especially music and theater. He was active in amateur theatrical productions and musical performances during college years at the University of Evansville and later at the Samena Club in Bellevue. Gene served for many years as choir director of Lake Hills Congregational Church in Bellevue. He died peacefully at his home in Providence Point.

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