Raymond Christopher Sullivan

Beloved husband, father, son, brother, mentor and friend, Raymond Christopher Sullivan, 63, of Austin, Texas passed peacefully at home on Sunday, March 29, 2026, after a more than four-year fight against lung cancer.

After graduating from San Diego State University in 1986, Ray embarked on what would be a 40-year career that would take him from Washington, D.C., and the halls of Capitol Hill to state capitals across the country and the boardrooms of many of the nation’s leading corporations. Over the years, Ray perfected his skills in political communications and strategy, policy development and public affairs, serving members of Congress, governors, presidential candidates, numerous political campaigns and corporate clients.

In 1994, Ray made Austin his permanent home, where he met and married Leslie, and raised the family that became his ultimate joy and passion.

Ray’s sharp intelligence and steady counsel earned him a reputation as the consummate Texas consigliere. His quiet, dry wit paid dividends for those who paid attention. Ray was a kind and generous mentor who enjoyed helping others succeed, and throughout his career, he was respected for his honesty and integrity. Lauded as the gold standard, a calm presence and a Texas treasure, he was beloved by many.

Ray served many clients through his Austin-based Sullivan Public Affairs, a firm he founded in 2002 to provide legislative and media relations consulting, and strategy and implementation to clients in energy, technology, education, transportation, health and human services, and other sectors.

Prior to his 15 years in the private sector, Ray honed his craft as a spokesman and advisor for elected officials, including U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Representatives Sam Johnson and Duncan Hunter, and Texas Governor George W. Bush. Like many of his peers who were bit by the political bug, he worked on a myriad of political campaigns in a multitude of states, including California, Ohio, Alabama, Arizona and, of course, Texas. His election-related work included service as the national spokesman on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign and as a state press director for the Bush-Quayle campaign in 1992.

In his final foray in the public sector, Ray served as Chief of Staff to Texas Governor Rick Perry before moving to his third and final U.S. presidential campaign, also for Governor Perry. Some of Ray’s campaign experience is chronicled in the books Double Down: Game Change 2012 and Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America.

Ray was a proud Irishman, eager to discover more about his Irish heritage, and he enjoyed visits with his family to his grandfather’s home in County Cork, Ireland.

Ray’s greatest joys in life were his children, Patrick and Bailey. He was always ready to share a story or photo and revel in their latest activities and accomplishments.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Leslie Rawl Sullivan, and their children Patrick and Bailey; his father, Chris Sullivan of Houston, Texas; brother Chris Sullivan and sister-in-law Gail Sullivan of San Diego, California; brother Brian Sullivan and sister-in-law Nikki Sullivan of Alna, Maine; father-in-law Bill Rawl and mother-in-law Nancy Rawl of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law Charlie Rawl and sister-in-law Susie Rawl of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law Bill Snapp and sister-in-law Betsy Snapp of LaVernia, Texas; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Marilyn Sullivan.

A celebration of life will be held at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701, on Friday, April 17, at 5:30 pm.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Marcelo Vailati Negrao at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Kevin C. Dinnin and the First Day Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Breckenridge Village (https://breckenridgevillage.com) or Lake Hills Church (https://www.lhc.org).

Arrangements are entrusted to Weed-Corley-Fish, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, Texas 78734.