Ray B Marglous

Ray B. Marglous, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. A lifelong St. Louisan, Ray was known for his sharp mind, generous spirit, and steadfast devotion to his family, his friends, and his clients.

Born on May 17, 1930, in Clayton, Missouri, to Rosalind and Leon Marglous, Ray was the second of three children. Raised with his sister Juanita and brother Sawyer, he often credited his mother and two aunts, Leona and Janet, with shaping his early years. A proud graduate of Clayton High School (Class of 1948), Ray was a member of the football and baseball teams, remembered for his coach’s words that he “always gave 100 percent.” That same determination would define his life.

Ray attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business, and later received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1954—the same year the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education, a case decided on his birthday and one that inspired his lifelong belief in fairness and justice.

After law school, Ray served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he worked in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Upon returning to St. Louis, he began his career in the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office before founding his own law practice. For more than 60 years, Ray represented thousands of clients in personal injury and other civil cases. Known for his integrity, creativity, and compassion, he approached every case as if it were his most important.

On May 17, 1973, Ray married Sharon Kay Marglous. Together they raised three children—Melissa, Matt, and Lindsey. When Sharon passed away in 1989 of lung cancer, Ray met that profound loss with courage and love, devoting himself to raising his children and continuing the values he and Sharon shared.

Ray was a man of generosity and humility. He gave quietly and often, helping others in ways large and small—never seeking recognition. He found joy in the simple things: a spirited tennis match, a drive in his red Mustang convertible, or sharing stories of American history with his grandchildren or teaching them about the stock market.

Ray was immensely proud of all 3 of his children and lived by his motto “family first.” Ray was endlessly grateful to his son Matt for his devotion and daily care over the last decade of his life, and for the love that surrounded him because of it. He also admired Matt for his street smarts, his entrepreneurship, and his ability to take on projects — whether fixing up houses or creating opportunities for himself. Ray was also proud of his daughter Melissa, who followed in his footsteps as an attorney, and her husband Rob, who became both his son-in-law and law partner. He was also deeply devoted to his grandchildren, Sawyer and Lila, who brought him immeasurable joy and kept his spirit young.

Ray’s youngest daughter, Lindsey, whom he lovingly called “Lindsey do-do,” was his absolute pride and joy. Her passing from lung cancer at a young age was an unthinkable loss for him. Lindsey had recently completed her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University, following her undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri, and had begun an exciting new chapter in Chicago pursuing their shared passion for helping others.

Ray was preceded in death by his siblings Juanita Yawitz and Sawyer Marglous, beloved wife, Sharon, and his cherished daughter, Lindsey. He is survived by his children Melissa (Rob) Merlin and Matt Marglous, his grandchildren Sawyer and Lila, his extended family, and countless friends and colleagues whose lives he touched with kindness and wit.

Ray will be remembered for his integrity, compassion, and humor—for the way he saw the best in others and brought out the best in those around him. His life was a testament to perseverance, generosity, and love.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to advance the lung cancer research of Dr. Ramaswamy Govindan at Siteman Cancer Center and WashU Medicine, MSC 1082-414-2555, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105 (https://giving.washu.edu/RayMarglous), Congregation Shaare Emeth or a charity of your choice. If mailing a check, please indicate that the gift is in memory of Ray Marglous by writing the following memo - IMO Ray Marglous (GF0004993 Thoracic Oncology Research).