Obituary of Howard Edmond Ray

Howard Edmond Ray

August 18, 1941 – February 24, 2024

Howard Ray was born to Virgil and Marion Ray in Tacoma, Washington and raised there until the age of 17. At which time he enlisted in the US Navy. During his naval career he traveled the world more than once, married and had two children, Phillip Ray and Lisa Ray Scott. He served his 20yrs retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 1978. Howard moved to Tacoma, Washington and there he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Harper and they were married in 1993.  She had 2 children, Lisa Harper-Schitoskey and Todd Harper.  Lisa and Frank Schitoskey had Howard’s grandson Adam Schitoskey.

He was tremendously loved by all his family. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Harper-Ray and her son Todd, daughter Lisa, son-in-law Frank, and their grandson Adam. His son Phillip Ray and daughter Lisa Scott and their families including 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  His younger sister and brother-in-law Marian and Dick Andrews and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His younger sister Nellie passed but is survived by her 3 children and grandchildren. All those that called him dad, brother, uncle, grandpa, great-uncle and great-grandpa loved him so very much for his loving, kind, giving, jovial nature.  He had so many friends in Tacoma, many who passed before him.  

From his son Phillip,

Howard was a loving and supportive father and a kind friend to all those who he knew.  I never saw him purposefully be mean to a stranger or a friend.  Family was very important to him, whether it was nieces and nephews, new children or old, grandchildren, siblings, it did not matter, he held  all is friends and family close.  I will always appreciate the example he set as he taught both what to be careful of and how to approach life.  Thank you, dad, for all that you gave.

If I could say one thing about my dad that people that knew and loved him will remember the most is love.

Military Honors at Tahoma National Cemetery, April 5, 2024 at 0900.