Ray Moran
Ray Moran, a pioneer broadcaster in Texas and New Mexico, and founder of Lubbock’s Ramar Communications, passed away February 11, 2018. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 82 years on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 2 pm at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, with reception to follow. A tribute of Ray’s life may be found at www. memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.
Moran grew up in Paris, Texas and attended Paris High School and Paris Junior College. He married Mary Alice Davis of Paris and moved to West Texas in 1956. He worked for television and radio stations in San Angelo, Roswell, Lubbock and Albuquerque. He served as General Manager of radio stations KRST and KRZY in Albuquerque, growing them to industry prominence. He founded KTEZ radio in Lubbock in 1972.
In 1981, Moran’s Ramar Communications launched Channel 34 as an independent TV station. Channel 34 was a charter member of the FOX network with its debut in 1986. FOX34 created a news division in 2000. Ramar Communications currently has 16 TV and radio stations in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Ramar is a combination of Ray and Mary’s names.
Moran was a pioneer of the Texas Association of Broadcasters. He also served as president of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association and the Albuquerque Little Theater.
Moran was a longtime supporter of Texas Tech University’s College of Media and Communications. He was inducted into the TTU COMC Hall of Fame in 1993. He chaired the COMC Foundation Committee from 1987 to 1992, and served on the Mass Communications Advisory Council. He received the Silver Medal Award of the American Advertising Federation, Lubbock Chapter, in 1983.
In 2014 Moran was inducted to the Paris Junior College Academic Hall of Honor.
Moran established a culture of community service within Ramar Communications which is a hallmark today. He was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts Council and the United Way. He thoroughly enjoyed aviation. He was a pilot with the rule "it has to be severe clear or we don’t go."
Moran is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Charles Moran of Salt Lake City and Brad Moran and his wife, Carla of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Jason of Las Cruces, Deavon of Albuqerque, and Ava Moran and Ella Moran of Lubbock; brother, Sonny of Arlington, TX; and sister, Juanita of Austin.
In lieu of flowers please direct any gifts in Ray’s honor and memory to All Saints Episcopal School of Lubbock at 806.745.7701, Celeste Thompson; or the Texas Tech College of Media and Communication.