Ray, it has been 5 years now and it is not any easier today.  I miss you every single day of my life and I think of you every single day of my life.  I know our family is growing in heaven as we keep losing our loved ones here.  No matter who we have lost the biggest loss of all was losing you.  I don't know why you had to leave us at such an early age. It left a huge hole in my heart.  I can't wait to see you again. I love you so very very much.  If only I had one more day with you.  I would give anything just to have one more day to tell you all the things I should have and just to hold you in my arms.  I love you son with my whole being.  Love, Mom!

Ray, yesterday was your birthday, another hard day to get through.  The days go by but there is something missing and that something is you.  I miss you so very much.  We lost Aunt Donna in May and I pray the two of you are together now.  Maybe you were there to bring her along.  I know she was a second mother to you.  We all miss you and wish you were here.  The only comfort we have is knowing that someday we will be reunited and the whole family will be together again.  I love you son with all my heart!  Love, Mom!

Happy Birthday to my Big Brother, I so wish I could give you a birthday hug and have one more conversation with you.  But that is the selfish part of me. The other part of me knows that you are where you are supposed to be and happier than ever imaginable.  I think that God takes the kindest souls first so that you don't have to endure all of the heartaches that life on earth entails.  I miss you and love you bunches, Always thinking about you, Your little sister, Angel

Happy Easter 2013, Miss and Love You!!!!
Angel

My condolences to the family of my first boyfriend.   I hadn't seen Ray in years but I thought of him from time to time.  He was a genuinely kind and compassionate special person and I am so sad that such a beautiful soul is gone from this earth.  God Bless.

TO MY SON - Today is Christmas and it is our second Christmas without you. It hurts so much to celebrate without you.  You are so missed by every single one of us. I hope you are celebrating with Grandma and Grandpa and all our other loved ones.  It will be a wonderful day when we are all reunited again.  That is the only thing that keeps me holding on, the knowledge that we will be in a glorius, peaceful place when we are together again. Losing you has been the hardest thing that I have ever had to live through.  I miss and love you son with all of my heart.  Hunter misses you too.  He would give anything to have his daddy home with him. Hunter says he knows you are waiting for him and his mommy to join you and how happy you all will be again.  He is such a good boy.  I know that you are so proud of him. Watch over all of us please.  Love you forever and ever.  Mom

Happy Birthday Ray, I love and miss you with all my heart. Time doesn't heal but it makes it closer to the time we will be together again.  Love Always, MOM

Your car is right where you would want it. Loving and missing more than ever!
Angel

Dad,
We all love and miss You. And I know that you miss me too.  I hope You and Your Grandma are having a very fun time. When I hear storms..me and mom joke that Dad sure is a good bowler and getting alot of strikes.  You will always be in my heart.  Everytime I bowl I hold my necklace and think of You..I would do anything just to have you come back. I try to have fun doing things but I know it would be alot of fun to have You here. I am really looking forward to the day I get Your lime green mustang. You will always be My Dad and it is really hard to live without You.
             I Love You..Hunter Ray

My dearest son, it is coming up on a year since you left us.  There is not a day that has gone by that I haven't missed you or thought about you. My life is not the same without you here. It will never be the same again.  My heart is so empty and aches for just a little more time with my son.  The only thing that keeps me sane is the thought that we will be together again someday.  If I knew that I would never see you again I could not bear that thought. I hope you are at peace and maybe watching over all of us.  Hunter is such a good boy and misses his daddy.  I love you, MOM.........

Hoping you know how much you are loved and missed.  Love Always, Theresa

Merry Christmas to my big brother. I am missing you so much.  My Christmas wish this year is that you are at peace and enjoying Christmas in heaven with Grandma Hazel. 
All my love, Angel

My thoughts and prayers are with your family daily. I have to say this has been such a difficult year. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder why everything happened that did. All that we had gone through and finally things were going so well. I am thankful for all the times we talked and all the promises we made..I will keep every one..It means so much to me to know what your hopes and dreams were and I look forward to when Hunter is older to tell him that his Daddy was working on making his one big dream come true. He is such a wonderful boy..so protectful..You would be so proud of him. Everyone always says Hunter is a perfect mix of You and I. I agree. It is funny how when people die that people start listening and realizing so much...I am thankful for all of Our memories and family photos..Hunter so enjoys looking at them and hearing stories about us..You will ALWAYS be the Best Dad and ONLY Dad in his eyes...that is one thing NO ONE will take or change. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again...The people who really loved You will never be the same and some never able to move on..You touched so many lives and hearts. I thank you for the most perfect son and over half of my life full of dreams that came true and memories I will never forget..........
Until I see you again..Love Always..Connie

Uncle Ray,

Nobody really understands why you had to leave us. We all wish you didn't have to. It's so different without you here. It feels like there is an empty piece missing from our family, and that feeling will never go away. Uncle Ray, I miss you so much. There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about you. I hope you know that. You were a great uncle to me. You are always going to be in my heart. I will never ever forget you. I miss you so much.
I love you,
Tay

Hi baby. I know this may seem silly to some people, me talking to you thru a computer, but Im so lost without you here!! I would do anything to take your place!! Really I would. I wish I could take everyones pain away but I cant even deal with mine. I just dont understand why you had to leave us all. You and I had so much more life and love to share with each other!! So many dreams to make come true together! Like Ive said before you have all of my heart and soul!! I know I should be happy for the time I had with you( and I am! Im truely greatful!!) but I always find myself crying about what we can no longer do together. Everything reminds me of you! The sun , the rain, when I pass the littet store we met at when I was 13, when I drive past Courtdale Dr. Our dog KoKo that youdidnt really want at all but you bought her for me for Christmas anyways. The jewlery that you bought for me ( I never take it off!! I wear it everyday!) I just really want God to call me home to you!! I dont belong here. I have no purpose without you here!!! Please talk to God and see what you can do to get him to call me home to you!!! I will talk to you again soon my love, even if not on this very special webpage for you, all day long everyday as usual. Please keep listening to me. Please keep watching me. Please keep loving me.Aand please keep waiting for me to be in your arms again!! I really hope to see and hold you soon!! Get ready baby because when that happens I WILL NEVER LET GO!!! I love you so much, you are my everything! Sweet dreams baby! Please come see me in mine. And please do your very best to comfort the family!!! Love you!! Talk to you soon.

Ray, I dont know what Im going to do. How long do I have to wait to be in your arms again? I know Im not the only one in extreme pain over the loss of you. My heart and prayers go out to your entire family here and down south! I know each and every one of us is struggling with this everyday! I pray everyday that you make your mother Renee, your sister Angel, your brother Alex, your son Hunter as well as myself Your little princess smile everyday! We all really need you and to be honest I think we are all lost without you here physicaly. I know each and every one of us holds you in our hearts so we are never truely without you!! but that doesnt make it any easier. I just want you to know from me that I have loved you my whole life! I love you now and forever! Here on Earth and in Heaven!! Ill never say goodbye so for now goodnite. Ill see you in my dreams and that always makes me smile(thank you for that). Talk to you tomorrow baby. Love you always!!!

Ray, I miss you so very much that the pain I fell is not only emotional but physical as well! I believe anyone who ever had the honor of having you in their lives are heartbroken. I know that I am. My world is not right without you physically here by my side. You gave my life so much joy, happiness, adventure, excitement and  purpose! The list of what you brought to my life is endless but  most of all you gave me never ending love. And I know you always will. For that I want to thank you! When you left this life on Earth, you took all of my heat and soul with you! My heart and soul has always been yours for the taking! You have always known that! I love you so very much and I always will. Nothing will ever change that!! You have given me the most beautiful memories that anyone could ever ask for! I keep every one of them in my heart, as I do you! I look forward to the day when you hold me in your arms again! I anxiously await for God to bring me home to you! I refuse to say goodbye to you so for now... I will talk to you later, I'll see you around. You have all my love always!!!

To my dearest son Ray,
At the age of 16 I gave birth to a dark haired, brown eyed, beautiful baby boy. Oh, how happy you made me.  You were a beautiful baby so it's no wonder you turned out to be such a handsome man.  We sort of grew up together, I learned so much from you.  Thank God Grandma was there when you were born. We may have been in trouble if not for her.  Grandma and Grandpa loved you with all of their hearts.  You definately were their favorite.  I remember Grandpa buying you everything you wanted. They didn't have much money but that didn't stop him.

I remember the first day my friend Jaime met you, she thought you were so handsome.  She said "not just handsome but movie star handsome."  I have always been so proud of you and marveled at the way you matured over the last few years.  You were the best father that Hunter could have ever wanted and that is why he will never forget all those special times the two of you spent together.  He misses you so much.  I know that you did not want to leave Hunter or any of us behind but God must have needed you more.  That is so hard for me to say but since you left I have been doing a huge amount of thinking and praying and asking "why?"  Nothing about your death makes any sense to me so it must be that God needed you.  Remember the plaque you placed on Grandma's grave just weeks before, it read, "God only takes the best."  That is why he has taken you and Grandma, you both are the best.  Neither of you ever had a bad thing to say about anyone and always tried to find the best in everyone.  You were a forgiving, loving, thoughtful, kind man and that is why so many people have been affected by your death.

Ray, I can't put into words the loss that I feel.  Children are not supposed to go before their parents and the pain is overwhelming.  My heart feels like it is truly broken.  Sometimes I feel as though I can not breathe.  I wake up in the morning and my first thought is my son is gone.  There were many years it was just me , you and Angel.  She loved her big brother so much and misses you.  She has been my rock.  It's been a blessing to have her here to listen to me and cry with me.  I know that you do not want us crying and sad but how can we not be.  Losing you was a huge loss for us.  If it were Angel, Alex or I that left you behind, you would be the same way.  You were as sensitive as we are.  Alex misses you but he holds everything inside, which also worries me.  He has had so many losses lately.  What else does a mother do but worry?  There were many years that I worried about you all of the time but for some reason, I did not worry as much during the last few years.  You seemed to have it all together and was moving forward with your life.  I wish God had given you more time to accomplish what you were striving towards. By the way, just want to let you know that Aunt Donna and Aunt Bev both have quit smoking.  Your promise to Aunt Donna was if she quit smoking that you would quit smoking.  I was looking forward to that and so was Hunter.

Ray, it was such a shock when God took you home and will hurt for the rest of my life.  I know that we are going to be together again and when we are we will be in a far better place.  It is the time between now and then that will continue to hurt.  I can't touch you, or hold you, or hear your voice but you know how much I love you and I know how much you loved me.  That is what I will be holding on to until the time comes when we are together again.  I know you are happy, safe and free from all your pain and worries.  I love You and Miss You With All My Heart.  Love, MOM!

Ask Me How I Am
I'm Ray's mother
I tell a lot of lies.
I never did before
But from now until I die
I'll tell a whole lot more.

Ask me how I am
And because I can't explain,
I will tell a little lie
I can't describe the pain.

Ask me how I am,
I'll say "I'm alright."
If that's the truth, then tell me,
why I cry each and every night?

Ask me how I am
I seem to cope so well,
I didn't have a choice you see,
nor the strength to yell.

Ask me how I am,
"I'm fine, I'm well, I'm coping."
For God's sake, why can't I tell
the truth, and say my heart is broken.

Ray loved me all of his life,
I'll love Ray all of mine.
But if you ask me how I am, 
I'll lie and say I'm fine.

Ray is there in Heaven
I can not hug him from here.
If I lie to you don't listen
Hug me and hold me near.

On the day I meet Ray again,
We'll smile and I'll be bold.
I'll say, Ray, I'm lucky to get in here
"With all the lies I've told!"

To My Uncle Ray, I'll try not to cry, I know you are gone.  I miss you Uncle Ray so much.  Love Rayven

Dear Ray, When you left this world you took a piece of my heart with you. But, you left me with so many wonderful memories.  All the summers and holidys you stayed with us in Arkansas were a joy.  You are a second son to me and I would miss you so much when you had to go home.  Now you are in your permanent home . . . with Grandma and Grandpa and the Lord.  I know you are happy and at peace with them. We all ask why you had to leave this world so soon as it seemed you had so much more living to do.  Your passing reminds us that this world is our temporary home until God calls us to be with him.  You were always such a kind, giving and loving person. Even though you won't be here to personally see that your gifts are passed on to your son, I know that he will be as you were because he is a part of you. Know that we all love him very much and will do whatever it takes to see that he is well taken care of and we'll never let him forget what a wonderful father and young man you were.  Thank You for Thansgiving.  It would never have happened without you pushing to get us all together.  Every time the family comes together from now on you will be there in our hearts and in our thoughts.  Right now the pain in our hearts is unbearable. Knowing there is nothing I can do to lessen the pain for your loving Mother, Sister and Brother is heart wrenching.  I would give my life to keep you here with your family, but that was not God's plan.  Our hearts  will mend, but will always be scared because you are not here with us.  The world was a better place having you in it . . . but you did leave us with many many good memories to hold on to.  Just know how much I love and miss you and will keep you in my heart always.  Until we meet again, Your Loving Aunt Donna

Ray was like a second dad to me. Hunter and I did a lot with him. I will miss spending time with him.

Ray and I knew each other for a short time, but our families became close in that time. My son Ethan and Hunter became very close friends, spending almost every other weekend together. 
During the time I dated Alex, i was able to see the kind of perseon Ray was. He was a very dedicated father, a soft spoken man who loved his family (far and near), and a very kind but hard working man. He loved to relax after a hard week of work with video games or TV. But we were able to drag him out a few times for a game of bowling or boating. I think about Ray often and know that he is at peace. But that doesn't make me miss him any less. 
Renee, Tom, Angel, Alex, Hunter-
Rays life was ended too soon and he will be missed by many. During the many tears of sadness, know he is looking down apon you all.

     Ray Allen was dearly loved by so many people. He will be missed by all of us immensly.
     He left us way too soon and without him in it, our world will never be the same.

To my kindhearted, thoughtful, selfless, generous, handsome young cousin . . Ray Allen.  I hope that you didn't mind that you were Ray Allen to me.  You were and always will be my other little brother.  Just as big a pain as Michael when we were growing up, but I loved you so much.  How I wish we could back to those summers that you and Angel spent with us. I will treasure those times and be greatful that we have those memories.  There was nothing you wouldn't do for any member of your family.  You drove through the night to be with the family when Uncle Lyle passed and then drove back home again.  I worried that you were driving like that without any sleep.  I worried about the line of work you were in . . . that you'd fall.  God had a better plan.  He simply took you while you slept.  In our eyes . . . he took you too early, but there is a plan and one day we will know what that is.  In the mean time we must take some comfort in the fact that you were given a gentle passing for a gentle soul.  Our loss is heavens gain.  It dosn't seem fair that such a kindhearted, young, family oriented, gentle, hardworking, handsome young man should be taken from us so soon, but I guess it's not for us to know or question the reason.  So many hearts are broken, but we must accept and with time, execpt for the scar left behind, our hearts will mend.  We will always have and cherish the memories we shared with you.  We will remember the ability you had to bring us all together as a family.  We will honor you each time we are able to come together as a family and know that you are smiling upon us all because this is what made you happy.  Thank you for the conversation we had at Uncle Lyle's funeral.  It had been a long time since we were able chat like that.  I enjoyed it so much, but if I had known that it would be the last talk we would ever have I would have kept you there longer and when I hugged you goodbye . . . I would have held you longer.  I love you so much dear cousin.  And though we lived miles apart, I knew you were there taking care of your family, enjoying life and the time you spent with your family and I knew that we would get together soon.  You weren't going to let too much time pass before you made the trip to Arkansas to visit us all.  We are so proud that you live on in your son Hunter.  We will always have a part of you in him and I know that he will be the same gentle, kindhearted, thoughtful young man that you were.  How could he be anything less.  He has an awesome circle of family to keep the memories of his father alive and he will always know how much you loved him and what a great man you were.  Give Grandma and Grandpa Templeman huge hugs.  Until we meet again . . I love you and miss you Ray Allen.  You will forever be in our hearts.  Theresa

 To My loving family

Ray's life was such a blessing for all of us. The pain and grieving we feel is not only human, even God grieved at the death of a friend. John 11: 35 (Jesus wept.) Jesus wept, God in the flesh cried at the death of his friend Lazarus.
     It is hard for us to let go and to understand that God is in control. Romans 8: 28 says (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, how have been called according to his purpose.) Ray was a loving kind man and shared that with everyone he came in contact with. In this he served his purpose. 
     Ray was a big and somewhat intimidating man at first glance, but so soft spoken and instantly radiated kindness when he talked. He will be missed for by his friends and family forever.
                                                                                        

        I love you Ray
        Darrell Templeman

Uncle Ray.. i love you and you will be missed dearly. Im gonna miss you so much! I love you.

To Renee,

I've tried to find the words to express my sorrow for you and your family and while there are many ways to say I am sorry, it just doesn't seem to be enough.  

I know you want to hug Ray again and make all of this go away and I'd move "mountain and earth" to help you do that if I could.  

What I can do is be here to listen, to talk, or simply to just be with you and take minute by minute for as long as it may take.

(((HUGS)))

My Dearest Ray,

I know that you wouldn’t want us crying and focused on our broken hearts, but you have to understand that we are not sure how to move on from here. You were such a part of our daily lives, our hero, and my personal protector in life.  I have always told people that you were the kindest person unless someone messed with your family.  I admired your dedication to your family, your friends, and all of our loved ones from the south.  You were the most wonderful brother, son, father, uncle, friend, nephew, cousin, and so much more.  Life will never be the same without you here pushing us all together.  We will miss your handsome face, your wonderful smile, your sense of humor, and the proud look in your eyes every time Hunter bug was in the room. The only thing that gives me some peace is the stone you placed on grandma’s grave that read:

A heart of gold stopped beating, two shining eyes at rest, god broke our hearts to prove he only takes the best. 

Grandma Templeman was so dear to you and we find comfort in that you are now in her hands.  I feel like if I had the chance to say goodbye, you would tell me to watch over Hunter, Alex and mom.  I promise you that I will do my best.  And when I fall, we have Wes and Tom to pick up the pieces.  I will also keep our promise we made to each other when Aunt Donna and Aunt Bev go to Mayo Clinic.  It was always so touching to me that you worried about everyone else, willing to go to the ends of earth to help another.  When I saw Aunt Donna after your passing, she told me that she would trade places with you in a heartbeat to have you here with us.  I know that she meant every word.  Aunt Thelma told me that she felt electricity go through her the last time she gave you a hug.  You have touched the lives of so many people and what we wouldn’t give to have one more of those heartfelt hugs that you gave.  Although you were a man of few words, your actions always proved to us that you had such a kind and caring soul.  We will miss you dearly.
Until we meet again, I will think of you daily and I will keep your memory alive.

I love you Ray with every ounce of my being!!!!

Forever Your Little Sister,
Angel

To My Precious Family,

     Life seems so unfair right now.  Each moment passes so slowly with a fog over our heads and pain in our hearts.  As we have found out, when you are a close knit family, a loss is devastating.  But we have to ask ourselves daily, “what would Ray want us to do?”  He will forever be in our hearts and will help guide us through each day.

     And to my beautiful mother, you have had to endure every mother’s worst nightmare.  I am so sorry!  I see the pain and sorrow in your eyes each time I look at you.  I so wish I knew how to make it better.  Please find comfort in knowing that you are the best mother and Ray adored you.

     To my sweetest Alex, life has been cruel for you the last few years.  First your father, your grandmother, your best friend, and now your brother.  My heart breaks for you.  I admire your strength Alex and I am so very proud of you.  Please know that I am always here for you.

     To my Hunter bug, you have to know that you were the center of daddy’s world.  He loved you with all of his heart and now he lives on through you.  Daddy is now your guardian angel.  We will always keep daddy’s memories alive.  Auntie Angel loves you so much.

     And to Tom, your heart hasn’t even had time to heal from the loss of your daughter, yet you find the strength to help us.  You are an amazing father and I feel so grateful for you.  Ray achieved his dream of living on the river with your help, and we all know that made Ray very happy.  Thank You!

     Love You All Very Much, Angel

Tom & Renee,
I hope you both will take some comfort in knowing that Ray has enriched your lives, and the lives of those he came into contact with. He has been called home by the Lord to join his loved ones already with the Lord, to recieve his just rewards, and to prepare a place for the rest of you.

We pray that you can look forward to the day you are reunited with him, and the Lord. Our thoughts and prayers to you both, and his entire family.

Tom & Martha

Angel, Alex, Renee, and Tom,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if i can do anything in this sad time. 

With love,

Angel and family,
My heart goes out to you all during this most difficult time.  Know that I am thinking of you and will keep you all in my prayers that you will find peace through your memories!  Don't hesitate to call me if there is anything I can do!

Angel,
   I was just looking through the obituaries online and I was shocked to see Ray's name. I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for you to find the strength to get through this.  Please know that your family is in my thoughts.

Renee, I am shocked and deeply saddened about the loss of you son. I believe that he is an angel watching over you now. I know that we havent seen each other in many years but,we will always be friends. Linnea Stone Rydeberg

Dear Renee, We're so sorry to learn of the passing of your dear son,Ray. I can't imagine what both you and Tom are going through now that you each  have lost a child. Tom always told us about what a good mother you are and how proud he is of you. I can tell by reading these entries that Ray had many of your traits and was loved because he did. 

Your friends from afar, 
Marie and Ben

i just happened to check the obituaries, dont even know why. then i saw ray's name and figured it had to be a mistake.  we lived kiddie corner to ray. we never hung out outside of our subdivision but any time we'd see eachother anywhere we would shake hands and talk.  that really hurts my heart knowing that ray isn't with us anymore.  my condolences to the whole family, i'm deeply sorry for you loss. 

marcus
michael
michelle

I found out today that Ray had passed...I was stunned...My deepest condolences to your family...Ray and I were good friends growing up in Roscoe and through high school.  We had a lot of good times together...he will be missed.  Ride on Ray!

Kevin Burns

Angel,
I am sad that your brother died. My mom told me that he was a very nice man and that he had a nice car. The good news is that he is always in your heart.
Love,
Your God Son Cade

dear angel,
    I feel bad for you, I hope you feel better. It must be sad to have your brother die .but the good news is that you have us I love you ,love mya

Renee, Angel, and family...
We are so terribly sorry for your loss.  We will keep you all in our prayers.
In deepest sympathy,
Glen and Marilyn Wages

To my cousin, ray...this brought me down, way down..but your in a much better place and you can be with grandma and grandpa..i will see you again one day..i love you and you will be missed..You will never be forgotten. I Love You, Irene <3

Ray you were like a brother to me I will miss miss you dearly. see you on the other side bro.
tom, renee,and alex my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I to went to school w/Ray and am so sorry to hear of your loss.  To Rays family you are all in our prayers and may your memories comfort you during this difficult time.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

To the Brooks family,
Having had the privilege of going to elementary school, middle school, and high school with Ray, it is with such sorry to see that he has passed.  He was a kind and affectionate person.  I pray that all of you may find peace through God's promise of life everlasting.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I can remember growing up on Courtdale Dr  with Angel, Ray, and Alex.  Ray would usually cover for Angel and I if we were doing something questionable.  I always envied their relationship.  I don't believe I ever saw Ray after high school.  My thoghts and prayers are with your family.
Lauri Beksel-McEachran

Hi, this is Laurie, Greg's wife from NY and her girls, Emily and Erica.  We want to offer our sincerest condolences and are deeply saddened by Ray's untimely passing.  We met him only a few times when Greg and I attended his wedding and then during some other visits to Illinois over the past but I remember how kind and softspoken Ray was.  Aunt Renee, we are so sorry for your loss and to dear Angel, I know how much you loved your brother and will miss him deeply.  Our thoughts are with you during this sad time.  Love, Laurie, Emily and Erica Mitchell

Alex and family, sorry about to hear about the loss of Ray

Tom, Renee, Angel, Alex and Hunter:

I love you guys. 

I was honored to have been Ray Allen's godmother.

Poor Ray Allen. He was my first hands on baby experience. We dressed him pretty and showed him off.

I was there when Ray got his first car. His grandpa called it his "caddy". I remember Ray in his walker and looking up at 4 or 5 girls, each of us telling him a different way to walk.

From birth, Ray had to deal with the female influence. Renee,Hazel,Mary,Donna,Darla,his sisters & all of Renee's friends. I think that is what made him so sweet and softspoken. He never had a chance.

Ray has the best mom ever, Tom came into his life and their family was complete. 

I remember Renee & I doing all the special times (birthdays, holidays) the same way for Ray, Angel & Dawn. They had the same clothes, the same toys. We truly believed in "it takes a village to raise a child."

The Templeman's were an extraordinary family. If you made the cut, they took you straight to their hearts. They all gave Ray that kind of love.

I remember waking up knowing Ray & Connie were pregnant. I called Connie. She called out to Ray, Pam knows, we need to call Renee before she does. Then Hunter arrived. He was perfect. 

I truly believe before your soul enters this life you talk to God or whoever is in charge, decide what family you want to go to and what lessons you will learn on Earth. When you are through, you leave. Unfortunately, you leave so many broken hearts here. You should believe Ray is on a boat with Ma on the most magical river ever and he's listening to her telling him to slow down. That's what I believe. 

I love you Renee and I will always be here to remember. 

Pam Nelson

Goodbye cousin, until we meet again.  You will be missed by so many.  My sincerest sympathy goes to Aunt Renee, Tom, Angel, Alex and Hunter. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Tom, Renee, Angel and Alex, I am so sorry. This is just too soon for your family to be going through this again.  My heart aches because I know the pain in your hearts at this time.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I love you guys, Dan & Annette

I was so sorry to hear of your son passing away. Just know that God is there for you and your family. I'm sure life will never be the same for you. But, you will have good memories of him. Oh, by the way, in case you don't know who I am, I'm Marlene's half-sister. Take Care! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.

A lot of time has passed since Ray and I went to school together. We didn't know one another very well, but to this day, I still remember him with his softspoken ways and smile. Some people don't need a lot of time to leave a special impression with you, and I guess, Ray was one of those people. Although his time here was short, his memory will live on in each of us who had the opportunity to know him at any point and/or length in our lives. My deepest sympathies to his son, mother, and all his loved ones.

Son how generous you were and how there was nothing that could stop you from giving us everything we needed and wanted in a son. I'll never forget the times we talked. I'll never forget 
the secrets we kept. I'll never forget your smile. The days without you will be lonely but in our hearts and minds you will forever stay. Until that day comes when we are all together again we will always be proud of our son.

I am speechless.  He was a great friend.  Motorcycles, go carts, and the creek; I have great memories growing up with Ray in Roscoe. He was soft spoken, but tough. He was the best friend a person could have and I knew he had a lot of friends. Ray was one of a kind.  With Deepest Sympathy, Steve, Maria and Emma

I will love you always cousin. You will be in my thoughts forever.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Love, Carol Ann "Turner"

                                    
   We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
      With deepest sympathy the Larys family.

Tom, Renee, Angel, and Alex,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Love, Sara Schooover-Anderson

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  My thoughts go out to the whole family.  Love, Kim, Dave and Maddy Philpot

We are so sorry for your loss, we will keep you all in our prayers that God will be with you and comfort you.
In friendship,
Mike and Barb Kane

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Im sorry for your loss. Ray will always be in your hearts and memories.  Dawn Tryggestad (Cherry Valley, IL)

Our deepest sympathy's & thoughts are with you all.

Renee, There are no words to describe the loss of a son. Close your eyes and feel his love and energy around you. He will always be there. My heart goes out to you and the kids. Cindy Fillweber

To all of Ray's Family,

I really don't know what to day,  I loved Ray like a brother.  The world is definitely not as good with Ray in it.  

My thoughts and Prayers are with you,

Bob Blais

I am so sorry for the loss of Ray.  He was a wondeful man and a great father.  He will truely be missed by my daughter Katherine Glasier and I.  Ray was the love of her life and they planned to be together forever.  Their time together was too short.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Bobbie Lengjak

OBITUARY

Ray A. Brooks

18 August, 1970 – 29 March, 2010

Sunset Memorial Gardens

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