Thank you to Ray's grandchildren, Becky, Tim, Dan, and Lisa, for lifting your voices in beautiful song at the services for your grandpa this morning.  (Your voices, unlike this blurry photo, were clear and in beautiful harmony.)  "Face to Face" has long been a favorite hymn of mine also.  As Stan expressed so eloquently in his remarks, his dear father now knows the reality of these lyrics.  For Ray is now face to face with his Lord and Savior.  How wonderful for him!  We send our love to Ray's whole family, especially his faithful wife Bea who cared for him so lovingly.  May you all experience His perfect peace and comfort in this time of loss.

The relatives we used to look up too are leaving us.  When I was a boy, Uncle Ray used to WOW us when he flew a circle over our house in Pella which signaled us to drive to the cornfield airstrip to pick them up for a visit.  Then, as a teenager I would come from Seattle to Iowa to stay with them each summer for a couple days. They were really cool as they had a 12" Black & White TV.
Uncle Ray was a public school teacher and with his age, being very conservative and the patented flattop hair style, I kind of was concerned that he could be the laughing stock of the school. I ran into someone over the years that had him as a teacher and was happily surprised that he did NOT have that image.  
Uncle Ray had very good business sense, but his number one thing was just being frugal and living well below their means. 
As an example he would attain old Chevy Vega's for basically nothing and use three of them to produce a sale-able car.  He would sell it and repeat the cycle.  The driveway was lined with old Vega's and then he made more money when the steel junk man came.
Over the years, Uncle was consistent in his faith, love of the Lord and a general peacemaker. Although we have not been in the Bay area for many years and not been able to visit, my memories of him will steadfastly remain.
Thinking of and praying for Aunt Bea and the family during this time of loss.

Memories of Ray Boyd,
After the purchase of the Fremont meeting room, Ray spearheaded a crusade
for repairs and improvements, saving us untold thousands of dollars, and often
doing the work single handedly
Memorable saying of his: prayer or the prayer meeting is the powerhouse of the
assembly.               Roy and Amy

Though I didn't know Uncle Ray very well, the times I do remember him visiting our home he often told us stories of his flying days.  I think I enjoyed hearing his stories as much as he enjoyed recounting them.  So when I heard that he finally slipped the surly bonds of Earth for the last time, (and is now gazing on the face of his dear Savior) I couldn't help but think of the words of the well known poem "High Flight" penned by John Magee.  Jeremiah 29:11 also came to mind.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Uncle Ray is now enjoying his long expected end.

Now Ray and Bob have an eternity to explore the wonders of chemistry and better yet to know the Creator of what we still know so little and their Redeemer Himself!

With joy for Ray but deep sympathy to the family who loved him.

Esther Rice

OBITUARY

Raymond Franklin Boyd

17 July, 1927 – 27 January, 2015

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary and Cedar Lawn Cemetery

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