Ray O. Lovell

Ray Lovell, a pioneering builder and developer and proud native son of Miami, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 26, 2012, just two months shy of his 86th birthday. He was at home just where he wanted to be with his Rose, his forever bride of nearly 65 years. Ray, the youngest of five boys was born on May 13, 1926. His father built his own home and also worked as a carpenter on the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. As a depression era baby, his youth was marked by poverty but also by hard-working parents. His beloved mother Annie took in laundry to trade for chickens. Evidently too many chickens because he didn't much care for chicken or eggs! Grounded by his parent's example of hard work, Ray took to the streets of Miami with an industrious passion and always said that "the harder he worked, the luckier he got". His early resume of jobs included a short order cook on 79th Street Causeway, a daytime job as a bell hop on Miami Beach with a taxi route at night when he would sleep in his cab.

There was no doubt as to what Ray Lovell considered the greatest accomplishment of his youth. In 1948 he went to New York City and walked Rose Blancke down the aisle at Calvary Baptist Church. He said often that he just knew "if he could get that striking red-headed beauty to marry him, he could do anything"! And with God's good grace and Rose by his side every step of the way sharing his dreams, he chartered a visionary course of great accomplishment in his trade and great civic involvement in the community and country he loved deeply. Ray Lovell, along with his older brother Ellis Lovell, founded Lovell Inc. in 1955. Under the Lovell Homes banner, 1000's of homes were built in the northwest section of Miami-Dade County. Among the many sub-divisions developed by Lovell were Carter Park, Jai-Lai Heights, Tuxedo Park, Palm Spring Estates, Palm Spring Lakes including the Palm Springs Lakes shopping center which is still vibrant today. Blessed with a pioneering mind and keen sense of marketing and merchandising, Lovell survived the devastating cycles of recession with projects like "Lovell Homes - Let's Trade" and then offering 30-year second mortgages to buyers which he credited with "keeping them alive".

The development for which he took greatest pride was Royal Oaks and Royal Oaks Office Park, a large upscale development now annexed into Miami Lakes. Go west young man even if they think you've lost it! Lovell was a calculated risk-taker who had a vision and saw the possibilities west of I-95 and the Palmetto Expressway and he was right. Royal Oaks is a majestic oak-tree lined prestigious community with stately beautiful homes that will live on as part of his legacy.

Lovell founded United Citizen's Caucus and was involved in untold campaigns and causes including hosting Nancy Reagan at their home in 1976. He was honored to be able to support many religious and charitable causes that were important to the values he held. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lovell was a man of great adventure. He was enamored with God's majestic ocean and was blessed to cruise with Rose around the world five times. He has been a ray of being throughout our lives, a committed father, our Daddyo, patriarch par excellence. He was true blue, white pure, and a passionate patriot. His unceasing love, devotion and legacy will live on in the hearts of his beloved wife Rose, their five surviving children Raymond, Harold, Gloria, Rose Ann and Bill, nine grandchildren, great granddaughter Elise, and nieces Valerie and Diane. We will celebrate his life and legacy at 11:00 am, Friday, March 2, 2012 at North Star Community Church in Wilton Manors. Viewing at Fred Hunter Funeral Home Fort Lauderdale this Thursday evening March 1st from 6:00-9:00p.m. Donations may be made to the National Christian Foundation, South Florida to the "Lovell Family Charitable Fund". Donations can be mailed to 5110 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.