Dwight Hall Ray

July 2, 1933 April 19, 2018 Dwight Hall Ray,

84, passed away as a result of complications from heart surgery at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his father, Otho Basil

Ray; mother, Alice Dean Ray; brothers, Julius Ray, wife Ida, and O. B. Ray, wife Maxine.

Dwight was born in Webster County, Kentucky and later moved to Evansville, Indiana. After graduating from high school he went to work at Servel, Inc. Then he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier. After being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Lain Technical Institute and graduated with an AS degree in tool and gauge design. Next he went to work for Firestone Industrial Products in Indiana and left for a better position at John Deere Tractor and Research and Engineering Center, in Waterloo, Iowa. In June of 1959 he was recruited by Los Alamos National Laboratory and went to work at PHERMEX, and later became supervisor of the Drafting Section. In 1961 he attended engineering classes at the university in Albuquerque part time. He retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1991 after 32 years of service, but he continued to work for PLUS as a Security Escort, retiring again in 2006.

During his younger years he was an usher at the White Rock Presbyterian Church, a Scout Leader, coached Little League Football and Baseball teams. In 1962 he won the Los Alamos City Bowling Tournament for high Singles and Team Events. Later he was Captain of a Boat Club in Lake Havasu City, AZ for six years and in 2006 he won the Cribbage Tournament there. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and travel.

He joined the Los Alamos Benevolent Order of the Elks in 1960 and went through all of the offices until he reached the Office of Exalted Ruler in 1965-1966 and then repeated this office again in 19911992. He was a Ritual Judge for nine years, served five years on the Board of Trustees and was Treasurer for one year. In 1977-1978 he was appointed District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He became New Mexico State Elks President in 9183-1984. After this he became Grand Lodge Chairman for two years. He was elected a Life Member in 2010. He was also a member of the American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Eagles.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; sons, Brett, Brian and wife Ida; granddaughter, Jamie Lynn; nephews, Richie, Dennis and wife Mercedes and their children, and Terry; nieces, Vickie and her children, Roxanne and her children, and Wendy and husband Richard and their children.

He was a very giving, caring man who never met a stranger, and a wonderful husband and father. He will be missed very much by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Los Alamos Elks Lodge on Saturday, May 26, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on May 29, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.