Obituary: Ray Patrick, 1923-2017

Raymond H. (Ray) Patrick, an eighty-five year resident of Parker, passed on December 1, 2017.

Born December 25, 1923 in Globe, Arizona, Ray graduated from Parker High School in 1942 where he participated in all sports. He attended the University of Arizona and later joined the United States Marine Corps as a paratrooper. While serving in the Pacific Theatre, Ray participated in the assaults on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima where he was awarded a Purple Heart.

Ray returned to Parker where he married Lois Terry.

His professional life included: Lineman, bartender, sweetshop owner, wholesale distributor, Standard Oil Bulk Plant jobber, owner of Parker Shell and Ray’s Shell in Earp, California, as well as co-owner of P&H Family Store and the Terry Courts apartments. Ray retired from the Parker Unified School District.

Ray was active in his community. His service included being the last surviving Charter Member of the BPO Elks #1929, past Fire Chief of the Parker Volunteer Fire Department and ambulance service, member of the Eddie May VFW Post #7061, member of the Parker Chamber of Commerce, the Hustlers, and the Parker Boat & Ski Club. Ray has been inducted to the Parker High School Wall of Fame, received the Parker Chamber of Commerce George Award and served at the Grand Marshall for the 2016 Veterans’ Day Parade.

Ray’s passion for outdoor activities included jalopy racing, water skiing, fishing, hunting, football (Wine Bowl MVP), baseball, Parker Broncs’ Chain Gang and golf. Ray’s golf highlights were three hole-in-ones at two different courses, all after he turned eighty. He enjoyed retirement in Parker, Yarnell and in “God’s County” Pinetop, Arizona.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Lois Patrick. He is survived by his brother, Dick Patrick (91) of Mancos, Colorado, daughters Coni Volpe and Kelly Wilson, son Mitch Patrick, grandchildren Allen May, Hillary Wilson and Shene Patrick, and great grandchildren Cally May and Jeremiah Stephens.

Services will be at the Parker Elks Lodge, 716 Laguna Avenue, Parker at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 10th, 2017. Internment with military honors will be the following day, Monday, December 11th at 10 a.m. at Parker Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Parker Elks Lodge Building Fund.

28 comments

  1. Maggie Alcaida Lee

    Great man and an honor knowing him.

  2. Roger Interlicchia

    A man’s man. RIP Raymond. SEMPER FI.

  3. Mona Reyna Duran

    Awe sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Ray will be greatly missed.

  4. We’ll miss you daddio

  5. Charlie Mcdowell

    A great man.And friend. RIP.

  6. Curtis Wilburn

    Ray was a man’s man and a great role model for many boys who grew up in Parker.

  7. Gwenn (Shaw) McDonald

    I remember him on the sidelines at the football games running the chain gang. His smile and laugh were infectious. Prayers to Kelly and the family.

  8. Sadly, an end to an era!

  9. Armando Heredia

    My condolences to all the family.

  10. S Steven Sachak

    A huge family friend. He was a Parker Legend! My prayers to the family…

  11. Kevin Jones

    What a great man!! One of my favorite of all times!!! Was always nice to me and my family. We need more like him!!!! Rest in peace Mr. Patrick. Thanks for the lessons in life and always a smile. Condolences to his family.

  12. Linda Darland

    RIP Mr Patrick. If someone will check their arithmetic I believe you will find Mr. Patrick 95, not 85.

  13. Kris Fisher

    Deepest condolences Patrick family.

  14. Joe Robledo III

    Condolences to the Patrick family. Thank you Mr. Patrick for your motivational words while you worked the sidelines at our PHS football games! R.I.P.

  15. Lawanda Mayfield

    My condolences to the Patrick family. RlP Mr. Patrick! ❤

  16. Desinee Baker-Bottorff

    So very sad, what a wonderful man! One of the best men i have ever met in my life! He had faith in me as a young adult and gave me the chance of a lifetime when I needed it the most. I am so sorry, my deepest condolences to the family.

  17. Suzanne Foss

    So sorry for your loss….❤️????????❤️

  18. Mary Odom

    So sorry for your loss RIP Ray

  19. Steve Goucher

    A Parker legand. A great and benevolent gentleman.

  20. Bonnie O

    So sorry for your loss Coni and Allen…..

  21. Jennifer De Jordy

    Wendy Tatum show my mom please

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