DeLand, FL
Kelly L. Ray, age 78, of DeLand passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at AdventHealth Fish Memorial Hospital in Orange City, Florida.
Kelly was born October 20, 1946, in Enid, Oklahoma, the son of Harry and Sylvia (Johnson) Ray. Kelly attended and graduated from Escanaba Area Schools.
Kelly enlisted into the Marine Corps in the early 60’s and spent three years serving his country before being honorably discharged.
Kelly briefly attended the University of Wisconsin and then pursued a career on Wall Street where he found great success. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and he enjoyed playing golf.
Kelly is survived by:
Long time partner: Teresa Klein of DeLand, FL
Daughters: Stephanie (Dean) Kuczynski of St. Francis, WI and Rebecca Ray of Milwaukee, WI
Son: David Ray of Milwaukee, WI
And Granddaughter: Nadia
Kelly is preceded in death by: Parents and Sister, Cheryl Deloughary
Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba, MI. Military Honors will follow at 1:30 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Homes in Escanaba. Kelly will be laid to rest in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells, MI. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Ray family.
Mike Olson - ESCANABA, MI
I went to high school with Kelly. I was a year behind him and was in his sister’s 1965 class. I always admired him. He was ambitious, considerate and a good friend. He was the student manager for the high school basketball and football teams, maybe more. He was thus a go-to guy to make the teams ready with water, salt pills, towels, bandages, etc. He was very effective and under-recognized. The high school has a hall of fame for outstanding contributors in Escanaba Football. Each year the Fan Club chooses 5 or 6 folks from the past, mainly players, to be honored for their past contributions. I nominated Kelly a few years ago for his outstanding work. He has not been chosen, yet. (Nominees timeline for inclusion never lose their nomination for future years.) He was top notch quality. I saw him at his class of 1964’s 50th reunion in 2014. We had a great chat. He looked very much the same. It was my privilege to know him.