Ray Garrison- A Life Well Played
1962-2025
Ray Garrison was a mentor, a teacher, and a friend to thousands during his life.
Ray turned his passion for chess into a business when he owned Chess Express on Main Street in Ann Arbor, later transitioning to Arbor Chess, where he created school programs, summer camps, and online classes that introduced countless students to the joy of chess. He served on the board of the Michigan Chess Association, where he shared his deep love of strategy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning with players of all ages.
Ray loved tournaments. As the coach of the Ann Arbor Chess Monsters, he led kids of all ages and skill levels in ranked tournaments, teaching them not just how to compete but how to think, prepare, and support one another. Under his guidance, the Chess Monsters earned numerous championships—but more importantly, Ray built confidence, sportsmanship, and a true love of the game in every player.
His passion extended beyond traditional chess. Ray ran thinking games camps where kids learned strategy games like chess, Stratego, and more—developing problem-solving skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. On his favorite online site, Little Golem.net, he competed in global strategy games, earning a reputation across the world for his enthusiasm, kindness, sportsmanship, and generosity.
Ray also loved disc golf. He played in East Lansing and Ann Arbor as a young adult, and later rediscovered the sport with renewed passion. After moving to Owosso in 2018, Ray devoted more time to disc golf, drawn to how it blended competition with the peace of being outdoors. Sleepy Hollow Park and McCurdy Park became his home courses. Disc golf gave Ray the same joy he found in chess—strategy, focus, and a strong sense of community. His favorite channel was YouTube's Disc Golf Pro Tour, where he was a fan of players from around the world.
To honor Ray’s life, we are bringing together his two greatest loves—chess and disc golf—into a memorial tournament.
The Game Master Memorial
On May 9, 2026, we will host a memorial disc golf tournament at McCurdy Park in Corunna, MI, celebrating Ray—the coach, the competitor, and the self-proclaimed “Game Master.” To honor his love of chess alongside disc golf, we also plan to create a permanent memorial feature, such as a bench or an outdoor chess and disc golf scoring table, where families, friends, and players can gather, play, and remember Ray for years to come.
All contributions will go directly toward tournament costs, keepsake discs, a permanent memorial feature, and future maintenance. Your support helps ensure that Ray’s love of games, learning, and community lives on. Any contribution, big or small, means so much to us.