In Loving Memory of Ray Clemens
On 12/27/2017 our family suffered the unexpected loss of our beloved Ray.
Ray was a big man with big heart. He was the rock of the family and loyal to his friends, family, and those he included as extended family...and there were many. When I was in grade school Uncle Ray joined our family. As a child Ray kept me safe during some of the most difficult times in our family, and it was a job he took very seriously.
He was always there for me. Anytime I needed him he was the first person that would show up to get us through any difficuties. There were times where he sprinted across town to reach me at school and walk me home safely. There were times when we had no car that he walked across town to the grocery store in the heat of summer and arrived home with as much as he could carry. 
One of my fondest memories and favorite family activities was building a demolition derby car with Ray and watching him crash it. He would gather all the neighborhood kids together to come write their names on his car and we would all chip in to help him paint it. Number 92 was always Ray's number and it carried a lot of significance for us. Ray was happy when we were building his next demolition derby car. :)
One of Ray's happiest days was marrying Aunt Linda. They were best friends and he missed her terribly after she passed. One of our only comforts in losing him is knowing they are together again, bickering, smashing cake in each others' faces, and laughing their asses off. They loved each other fiercely and we know they are together, still keeping an eye on our family like they always have.
During times of grief people often ask what it is that can be done to help the family. In this case the needs are real. This was an unexpected shock which none of the family was prepared for and there is a need for help with end of life costs.
We are hoping friends and family will join together one last time in honor of Ray to help with the cost of cremation and laying him to rest with Aunt Linda. We appreciate your love and prayers as we walk through this difficult time of saying goodbye to our beloved Ray.
