Raymond "Ray" Stawowy

Raymond Stawowy, beloved husband, father and friend of Cedar Park, TX, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025 at the age of 71. Known for his ability to connect with everyone he met, we will miss his enthusiasm for life and service toward others.

Ray was born on May 27, 1954 in Kansas City, KS to Joseph and Virginia Stawowy. The third of four children, Ray’s formative years were spent at his parent’s corner grocery store attending St. Benedict’s then St. Peter’s grade schools. His interest in athletics developed at an early age and by high school Ray was a stand-out on the football field. He was named as a prestigious “All-Metro Kansas City” Player selection in 1971 and helped lead Bishop Ward to the school’s very first State Football Championship. Ray was Senior class president and graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1972.

After graduation, he attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, OK where he continued his storied football career and amassed friendships within the tight-knit community. It was there Ray found an interest and love of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.

After junior college, Ray was recruited to the University of Wyoming in Laramie on a football scholarship where he played defensive tackle. Being somewhat undersized for the front line, Ray’s grit and determination helped propel him and his teammates from one of the worst records in the nation to winning the WAC conference title the second year and playing in the 1976 Fiesta Bowl. He was recognized as First Team-All Conference and Third Team-All American in different polls. His 1976 Cowboys team was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Soon after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Ray achieved his CPA license and began a life-long career in creating financial management solutions for the construction and real estate industries with an emphasis on information technology. The booming economic growth in Texas in the early 1980’s brought him to Austin where he was an independent software implementation consultant. Over the course of the next 40 years, Ray continued to provide both in-house and independent accounting and software support in the roles of CFO, Controller, accountant and consultant for a multitude of companies; among them, Chasco Constructors, Stratus Properties Inc. and most recently, Heyl Homes Inc.

In 1992, through mutual friends, Ray met the love of his life, Pat Olive. They were married in 1993 and soon became parents to their beloved son, Nicholas. Their family grew in 1996 with the birth of a darling daughter, Lindsey. Growing up in the catholic faith, family life was something Ray had yearned for. In the early years, many weekends were spent with family travelling, boating, fishing and camping. Both Nick and Lindsey, taking after their father, were involved and adept at sports. Some of Ray’s happiest times were spent on the soccer field cheering on his kids. As a devoted father, he supported their endeavors into college following Nick’s soccer career at Ray’s alma mater, NEO A&M, and Lindsey’s academic achievements at Florida State University, even becoming a Seminole fan.

Ray was a parishioner at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin. Among his many hobbies were doing home projects, watching college football games and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. As a couple, Ray and Pat enjoyed travelling to new destinations like London, Ireland, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. In recent years, after the heartbreaking loss of their son, Ray and Pat spent much of their leisure time in Rockport, TX. The slower-paced coastal life and fishing opportunities often called to them. Ray became an avid (obsessed) fisherman often travelling to the coast 2-3 times a month. The day of Ray’s passing, he and Pat spent a beautiful morning on the water fishing for reds.

Ray is survived by his bride of 32 years, Pat Stawowy and his beloved daughter, Lindsey Stawowy. He is also survived by his sister, Connie (Mike) Bradbury, sister-in-law, Sherry (George) Andrews, sister, Carol Christopher, brother, Joe (Harriett) Stawowy, nephews Michael (Alicia) Bradbury, Greg (Lydia) Bradbury, Daniel (Megan) Andrews, Brian Andrews, Taylor Andrews, Christian Andrews, Justin (Heather) Williams and nieces, Valerie (Aaron) Kisker, Nicole Williams and Kyle (Brad) Doughty.

He was preceded in death by his cherished son, Nicholas Stawowy, and parents Joseph and Virginia Stawowy.

A memorial service/remembrance of life will be celebrated at 3:00 PM Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX 78750 (reception following). A private family inurnment will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10205 N. FM 620, Austin, TX 78726.

In recent years, Ray was instrumental in establishing a scholarship program for student athletes of Bishop Ward High School under an endowment which was named after his former football coach, Maurice “Moe” Werner. This was an endeavor very dear to his heart. Anyone wishing to make a charitable contribution in lieu of flowers can donate to “The Players and Supporters of Coach Moe Werner Scholarship Fund”, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102 or online at https://www.wardhigh.org/page/ways-to-give. In the comment box, please include Ray’s name or “Coach Moe Fund” to ensure donations are directed to the Scholarship.

The family wishes to acknowledge and give special thanks for the kindness and generosity of the Morrison and Laas families and everyone at the M&H team at Ryan LLC.

“Blessed are those who gave meaning to our lives. Holy and precious is the example they left behind. May their wisdom protect us and help us to live.”