Name: Family Funeral Care
Address: Memphis, TN

Thinking of you today, love you and miss our phone calls. Love you Papa.

Ray and Sandy were there for me when I lost my husband 2 years ago. Although I had only met Ray a few times he made certain my sons and I were taken care of.  His kind, gentle soul will be missed by many many people but mostly by his sweet wife Sandy.  
Sandy loved her husband and talked frequently about what a blessing it is to be his wife.  RIP Ray, we will be here for your Sandy.  

My father was perhaps the kindest, most generous man that I’ve ever known.  He taught me to see the best in people, and to have a positive outlook on life.  My earliest memories of him involve riding in his lap on a motorcycle, and standing outside our first house, watching him drive up in a huge (by today’s standards), red Chevy Impala convertible.  When I was four, we moved to Memphis, TN and it was there, one evening in July 1969 that we stood together in the back yard, him pointing to the moon and saying “Bill, there’s a man up there right now!” He was genuinely excited, and that excitement was contagious.

Spending time with him was always fun.  Summers were filled with movies, BBQ, and trips to see family.  He taught me to fish, and to drive, and I don’t think there was a Cave Attraction in Tennessee or Missouri that we hadn’t experienced by the time I was thirteen.  Christmas was filled with family, light and warmth, and him smiling.  He was there to see me graduate high school and college, and be commissioned in the Army.

Years later when I had a family of my own and lived nearby, we came to visit as often as we could.  It was such a break for me, a respite from a stressful world, where we could sit together on his back porch and talk, or watch movies, or get the grill ready for dinner.  He always knew what I needed, and he showed me that every new day carried within it the potential to be brand new.  On the eve of what would be one of the worst days of my life he said “Trust me, things will get better.”  Two and a half years later, on the way to my wedding, he looked at me and said “I told you, didn’t I?  Things will get better.”

Ray Crossen carried within his soul the brightest light, and it shone through his smile.  He was always positive, and always ready to help anyone, in any way he could.  I’m proud of him, and I’m proud to be his son.  I will miss him.  May he rest in eternal peace.  


Ray was such a kind, compassionate man, and he did his best to welcome me into the family when I married his son, Bill.  I remember him at our wedding, standing so proudly next to Bill, who wore his dress uniform.  Unfortunately, Ray tried a little too hard to stand at attention and locked his knees, which caused him to faint before we said our vows.  After the ceremony, he smiled at Bill and apologized for “ruining” the ceremony. 

 He was always disarming, generous, and loving to his family.  He loved a good joke, and always had a spirit of forgiveness.  And I will never forget enjoying Memphis barbecue with him and bonding over banana pudding with his wife, Sandy.  It was my first time and I didn’t know what I had been missing.  

I am honored to see Ray in Bill every day.  I couldn’t have asked for a nicer father-in-law.  I wish peace, love, and comfort to those who will miss him even more than I will.  

There are Soo many wonderful things to say about my dad. He was a kind gentle man with the patience of a saint. The last time I spoke with him, I thanked him for showing me what unconditional love looked like and thanked him for all of the lessons that I learned from him. My dad had Soo much love in his heart. He took life day by day and stride by stride. He found joy in the small things and humor in mistakes. He was the best father a child could ever have. I will forever miss his smile and his little chuckle when he would crack jokes. He taught me how to love nature, care for others, greet people with a warm smile when passing by, how to sit quietly and just enjoy being alive. My father made me feel safe and comforted me through the tough times in life. I am honored to be the daughter of Ray Crossen and to have had precious time with him in life and to be by his side as he crossed over into the next. Thank you dad. I love you more than words could ever say. I will miss you but I know that you are no longer in pain and that I will see you again one day. Rest in peace and know that you are loved. 

I loved my Papa so much! I remember going to Mimi and Papa's home as a little girl, and it always smelled of coffee and turkey bacon in the morning. Sometimes I would wake up early to see Papa on the porch with his morning coffee. He was always unfailingly kind to me. Now as an adult, I am grateful for the simple phone calls and conversations with Papa. Usually the phone call began with a warm welcome and I could hear the soft chuckle in his voice when he said, "Hey Catherine! What goin' on?" One thing he shared with me was, "Every day is a good day" and this phrase has carried me through many of life's storms! Missing you Papa, and love you so much! 

Always loved going to my uncle Ray's for memorial weekend we would spend  our time at liberty land and elvis tours and always had so much fun and always felt so much love from him and aunt sandy I will never forget you my loving uncle say hello to my mom for me 

What a lovely human being.  Met Ray when I started work at Methodist in 1976.  A truly kind and compassionate person.  Became friends with both Ray and Sandy.  When we started game night, I learned how funny Ray was and he was also quite competitive!  Ray and Sandy were a perfect match.  Praying for Sandy, Angela and the rest of the family in this time of sadness.  Love you dearly.

OBITUARY

Elmer "Ray" Crossen

3 May, 1940 – 8 November, 2020

Family Funeral Care

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