Clanton Ray Athey III

Clanton Ray Athey, III passed away on January 12, 2022 exactly two weeks prior to his daughter Kendall from illnesses attributed to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. Ray was born to Dr. Clanton Ray Athey, Jr. and Dorothy Jean (Hartman) Athey on August 10, 1948 on his mother’s birthday, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Ray attended schools in Kansas and graduated from high school in Wichita.

Ray attended CSU in Ft. Collins before being drafted into the Army and after being honorably discharged attended Metro State in Denver and graduated from CU in Boulder with a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Business. Ray worked for the City of Longmont and the City of Thornton before starting his own accounting business – Athey and Associates. Ray loved his work and many of his clients became treasured friends. He had a strong work ethic and valued everyone he did work for.

Ray and his wife Judy were introduced to each other by a high school friend of Judy’s and a college roommate of Ray's. Judy had just recently graduated from college and Ray had just completed his military service. They became fast friends and soon fell in love and were married on December 15, 1972. This was the beginning of a wonderful life together, just recently celebrating 49 years of marriage.

Ray had many interests. He enjoyed riding bikes, golf, camping with C.R. and fishing. He loved skiing which he started at a young age when his family would come to Colorado on ski trips, which eventually brought the family to move here. Ray and Judy would go cross-country skiing with Kendall and C.R. and when they were too young for skis Ray would ski with them in a backpack. Ray had a love of flamingos and the family yard had several in their gardens. He also started a worm farm at his office with delighted his grandson Carter.

Ray was a devoted family man and loved his family unconditionally. His children were his pride and joy and he participated as a coach, mentor or whatever they needed in their activities. He did everything for Judy – he loved her dearly and was always there for her and supported her through her many interests – whether it was helping with projects in her classroom or helping her create some unusual garden project. He loved family trips, exploring Colorado, skiing, visiting Disney World and trips to Italy and Germany.

He loved his grandson Carter dearly and looked forward to time with him. He taught him how to fish, played ball with him, did swimming lessons with him and read stories to him. They played Legos and Papa Ray taught Carter the use of tools when the two of them were working on Ray’s truck. When Ray was in the hospital Carter would lie next to him in his hospital bed, share Ray’s lunch with him and they would read books together. What a pair they were. They brought so much joy to each other.

Ray loved to talk and visit with everyone. He never met a stranger. He always had a hug, a smile, or a pat on the back for everyone, be it an old friend or a new acquaintance.

He was proud to be a veteran and loved his country. He received two Purple Heart medals in Pleiku, Vietnam while serving with the 52nd Infantry Company, 1st Aviation Brigade. Ray was a humble man saying very little about his service to his beloved country. He was a member of a local Purple Heart group in Longmont where he served as a chapter commander and trustee and department commander at state levels. He loved doing everything he could for veterans. He was also a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was looking forward to taking part in May in the Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. to honor veterans.

Ray was preceded in death by his son C.R., his parents, Judy’s parents and his sister-in-law Sherry. His daughter Kendall passed away exactly two weeks after his death.

He is survived by his wife Judy, his grandson Carter, his daughter-in-law Liz, and two sisters Jeanette (Kemit) and Emily (Louis) and many other relatives and friends.