Raymond "Ray" Joseph Kelley Jr

July 16, 1949 - October 20, 2015

He Will Be Missed by All

Raymond "Ray" Joseph Kelley, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. He was 66.

Ray was born on July 16, 1949 in Stamford, Connecticut. Known as "Snerd bird" to his four siblings, Ray took on the role of protector, a job he took seriously throughout his life... in the Marine Corp, with his friends, his co-workers and, most certainly, with his family. In this role, Ray served well, earning him the love of those he came in contact with and a Purple Heart for service in Vietnam. 

Though the jobs and the companies he worked for changed over the years, one thing was constant: his unspoken title of "Chief People Person," concerned most about the people he interacted with. He was a quiet, hard-working man with a passion for music, mystery books, and movies and an obsession with hats. Ray was humble, generous, warm-hearted and kind. He loved dark chocolate, Hostess pies, the Seattle Seahawks, over-the-top Christmas lights, and the ocean surf. 

Most than anything else, Ray loved his family. He has left a lasting impression on those he loved, including Mary, his wife and best friend of 32 years; his children: Kevin, Chris, Nicole and Brian; siblings: Kevin "Mouse" and Laurie Kelley, Deb "Slubatub" and Richie Gavel, Terry "Moose" Kelley, and Annie "Cookie" and Bob Daly; sisters and brothers-in-law, Anita Sandstrom; Rick and Robin Sandstrom; Tom and Robin Oswold; Jeff and Jan Sandstrom; grandchildren Abigail, Bryn, Chase and Emma; 24 nieces and nephews; 27 great-nieces and nephews; his friends; and his co-workers.

Though it breaks our hearts to lose him, we know he's surrounded by the family members who have gone before him: his dad, Raymond; his mom, Grace; his brother-in-law, Gary; father-in-law, Stan Sandstrom; his mother-in-law, Joyce Sandstrom; niece, Jackie Oswold; and his dog, Magic.

He will be sorely missed.

Funeral Information

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at the Bastyr Center in Seattle, Wash. (3670 Stone Way N., Seattle, WA 98103) on Sat., Oct.24 at 1:30PM.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ray's name to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.com.