Ray Allen Garris

Ray Allen Garris, 82, passed away quietly at home in Phoenix, Arizona, in the presence of his wife and sweetheart of over 64 years, on February 19, 2024. Ray is survived by his wife, Sandi, sisters Glenda and Patricia, his son, Chris, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Ray is preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy, and grandson, Justin.

Ray is remembered by many as a salesman, an instructor, storyteller, leader and ‘grand pooh-bah’-in-charge of whatever organization he decided to become involved in, among other things. Ray epitomized what it means to work hard - a habit he was known to carry out to extremes throughout his life. Ray was a people-person through and through, and he lived through his interactions with others he’d meet daily. Ray was a passionate and effective teacher and public speaker. Whether in a Sunday School classroom with the very young, or in front of a crowd of complete strangers, Ray had the talented ability to connect with people and make them feel like they’d always known him.

Ray was born in Los Angeles, California and served in the Coast Guard Reserves in 1959. He met Sandi and they were married in 1962 and he worked as the youngest manager at the time for Safeway. In 1973, Ray followed his friend and business partner to move the family to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he applied his natural talents as a salesman to the world of floor coverings, then later to real estate, home building, and back to floor coverings, where he still actively worked till late in his 81st year. Ray was past-president of the Paradise Valley Rotary Club, taught CPR and First Aid for the American Red Cross and American Heart Association, was Director of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and Vice President of the Eagle Wings Motorcycle Association.

A celebration of life event will take place at a later date.