Ray was born in Preston, Washington on October 17, 1934 to father Lars Johnson and mother Marie Johnson.
Ray and his older brother Wayne grew up in Gold Bar, Washington. He graduated from Sultan High School, then attended and graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.
In 1961 he married Sonia Rae Cough and lived in Seattle, Washington until moving to Kirkland in 1963. Ray worked for the Army Corp of Engineers as a hydrographic survey engineer in Seattle for 35 years, before retiring in 1989.
Ray had an abiding interest in landscaping and loved gardening, as well as the New York Yankees. Ray grew the best raspberries, baked amazing Swedish cookies and thin bread every year for his family.
He is survived by his wife Sonia Johnson; children Christian Johnson and his wife Kristen, Mary Hollobon and her husband Tim, and Laura Grass and her husband Kelly; grandchildren Hannah Johnson, Melissa Hollobon, Emily Johnson, Ryan Hollobon, and Jack Johnson.
A burial and graveside memorial for Ray will occur Friday, March 5th at Cedar Lawns Memorial cemetery in Redmond, Washington.
People wishing to honor Ray can make donations to:
End Polio Now - https://www.endpolio.org/
American Lung Association - https://www.lung.org/
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