Ray R. Sturm, Ph.D.

Ray was born October 22, 1963 in Winter Park, Florida to the late Richard "Dick" and Nancy Sturm. He was a 1981 graduate of Winter Park High School. After graduation, Ray served in the United States Army.

He went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in accounting and Master's degree in taxation from the University of Central Florida, and ultimately his Ph.D. in finance in 2005 from Florida Atlantic University. He was a Certified Public Accountant and member of the AICPA. Ray's passion was teaching and advising his students. He has dedicated the last 21 years at UCF as a professor of finance and accounting teaching and advising a multitude of successful individuals. He was the Faculty Advisor for the Young Investors Club and published articles in several business journals. Prior to his teaching career, Ray was a partner of Sturm and Sturm CPA in Winter Park with his father and owned Ten Talents Assets Management, Inc. He also enjoyed surfing, running, and was a talented musician who had recently created his own band, Ray and The Storm Surge. Ray was full of compassion and zest and was always willing to share his knowledge and offer financial advise and guidance to anyone who asked. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard "Dick" and Nancy Sturm.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Laurie Sturm; daughter, Nicole (Jacob) Gardner; two grandchildren, Freya and Autumn Gardner; his aunt, and a host of cousins.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 400 S Lakemont Ave, Winter Park, Florida, 32792. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org, UCF College of Business Dean's Excellence Fund, www.business.ucf.edu/u-knight-for-business or Hound Haven, Inc, www.houndhaven.org