Leslie Ray Lynn Jr.

Leslie Ray Lynn, Jr. 90, passed away in his sleep at the Altenheim Long Term Care Center at 1:45 a.m. on September 2, 2020. His wife, Iva (Strandlund) of 68 years; daughter, Lori; daughter, Jodi (husband Kent) Barth; and three grandchildren, Kirsten, Kyle and Katie Barth; and sister, Carol (husband Fred) Carra survive him. His father, Leslie R. Lynn, Sr.; mother, Mildred; brother, Gaylord; sister, Noreen (Poehler); and brother, Lee preceded him in death. A LITTLE ABOUT RAY Ray was known for: giving the best big bear hugs, his love of telling jokes and stories, sharing his love and faith, the enjoyment he got out of teasing and eating desserts, especially pie. He was an avid reader and his home was always filled with the smell of books from the walls of bookshelves. He loved learning for the sake of learning whether it was Hebrew, Greek, or German languages, playing the saxophone or tuba, to learning how to ride motorcycles, or teaching horses to do tricks. He was definitely a people-person and a great lover of horses. [He started the first youth Bible Saddle Camp in Indiana.] He had a special way of making joyous occasions more joyful and sad or difficult occasions more meaningful and tolerable. He had a knack for helping people feel better and more hopeful after talking to him. He encouraged everyone to find ways to keep improving and learning. He had an amazing ability to connect and communicate with people of all ages. He especially had a soft spot for young people, and they all seemed to naturally gravitate to him. EDUCATION, CAREER, AND LITTLE KNOWN FACTS Ray was born on May 26, 1930 in Faribault, Minnesota. His father was a dairy farmer. Ray worked on the farm and after graduating from Medford High School in 1948, his father gave him $85 from a milk check advance to help with his school expenses at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a part of a gospel team and would travel on the weekends to different churches to preach, sing, and provide music. Ray was part of the Summer Gospel team that traveled on weekends. They conducted Vacation Bible School with the Native Americans and others. In the summer of 1949, Ray met Iva at Karlstad Baptist Church where he gave a sermon and played saxophone for a Youth Rally for surrounding churches in the area. He later confessed that he only knew two songs at that time. He would practice playing saxophone for hours in the boiler room of the college. Iva sang while her sister, Alice, played piano in the afternoon for the youth meetings. Later that night, Iva wrote in her diary about that young minister. She said he was a good storyteller and seemed not to know a stranger. He had a zest for life, told jokes, and she was especially attracted to his boundless enthusiasm. (It didn’t hurt that he was really good looking, too.) On June 21, 1952, Ray and Iva married in the Roseau Baptist Church in Minnesota. Ray received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota that year. In 1953 Ray and Iva moved from St. Paul to Louisville, KY. Ray completed seminary and received his ministerial ordination in the General Baptist Church on October 21, 1956. While in the Paoli General Baptist District, he was a minister for churches in Samaria, Whitaker, and Princeton, Indiana. In August 1956 Ray received an opportunity to obtain an Oakland City College job that was connected with the General Baptist denomination as a part-time minister at the General Baptist Church and as a half-time college teacher, teaching psychology, philosophy, Bible and religion. The family moved to Oakland City into a duplex. Ray loved to travel and had a natural curiosity about people, other cultures and decided to go to Russia during Kruschev’s Cold War. Ray accepted the ministerial position at the First General Baptist Church in Princeton, Indiana. Ray created Potential Unlimited, a program designed for businessmen to enhance their leadership and interpersonal relationship skills. A man he knew in the Furniture Factory in Jasper had a plane and believed in the benefit of Ray’s program so much that he flew Ray around to various locations around the country so he could teach Potential Unlimited. The family moved into Indiana University Student Housing in Hoosier Courts and Ray started to work in the Human Resources Department at Sarkes Tarzian in Bloomington, Indiana. After all bills were deducted for the week, he earned a net of $15.00 with a wife who was a full-time student and two young daughters. While preaching at Samaria and Whitaker, Ray taught two classes at Ballantine Hall – many students audited his religious comparison course – comparing Zen Buddhism to Christianity. On June 13, 1963, he was accepted and certified as a United Methodist minister. He became the minister at both Bowling Green and Fatch Chapel. At Indiana University, while pursuing a doctorate degree, he was a professor at the I.U. School of Religion and taught philosophy and religion. Ray was transferred to Harrodsburg, Indiana and was a minister at the Harrodsburg United Methodist Church for a year. He purchased a horse and pony and enjoyed teaching his two young daughters how to ride and love horses as much as he did. He took an educational trip to Israel on an archeological dig. Ray was transferred to Evansville University as the Chaplain of Neu Chapel in Evansville, Indiana in 1969 where he stayed for six years. For four years, he took students to Europe. Ray created “the coffee house,” a place for students and young people to go and safely enjoy entertainment of reciting poetry, singing, and playing instruments. He was transferred to Columbus, Indiana where he enjoyed working with Sr. Rev. Joe Emerson. As an associate minister he delighted in working with the youth groups. He then moved to Indianapolis and was the minister at Chapel Hill UMC. From there he was the senior minister at Fishers UMC. While at Fishers United Methodist Church, he created the first Indiana youth Bible Saddle Camp and brought many young people to Christ through this ministry. This Bible Saddle Camp continued for many years. He then was the senior minister at Bedford UMC where he retired (the first time). He came out of retirement 4 more times to do the following: * Ray worked at Glenburn Retirement Home in Linton, Indiana as a song leader, tour guide, and minister. He conducted many excursion tours for the entertainment of the Glenburn residents. * Minister at Bellaire United Methodist church in Indianapolis, IN * Minister at East 10th Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN * Short term minister at Brookside United Methodist Church He truly retired on October 20, 2015. He lived a long, fulfilling life. CONTRIBUTIONS/DONATIONS In lieu of flowers, Ray asked that gifts be made to the youth program at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where he and Iva became members upon his retirement. (The easiest way is to call St. Luke's at 317-846-3404 or mail a check with the memo "Youth-In Memory of Ray Lynn" to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, W. 100 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260), or a make a memorial gift to the church of your choice. DUE TO COVID19 LESLIE'S FAMILY HAS DECIDED TO HAVE A PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICE. For your safety and the safety of others we do require that masks be worn in out Funeral Home at all times. www.littleandsonsindianapolis.com