On Friday August 14, 2020 Raymond “Ray” Charles LeBlanc, loving husband and father of three daughters, passed away surrounded by his family just four days shy of his 70th birthday. Ray was born August 18, 1950 in Tooele, Utah the son of Louise Becker, a German immigrant, and Jules Alfred (Frenchie) LeBlanc, an American GI. Ray was the fourth of five boys. He spent his formative years in Bakersfield, CA where he would meet the Busch Family (Pat, Ernie, Lynn and Tyoni) who took Ray in during trying times. The years that Ray spent as a part of their family would be pivotal in shaping the wonderful person, husband and father that Ray would become. While managing a Safeway store in Southern California, Ray met Darlene Comber who was managing her mother’s Krispy Krème Donut shop next store. The love story began and the rest was history. Ray and Darlene were married August 19, 1978, and welcomed the first of “his girls”, Amy (Brandon) Wright, followed over the next ten years by - April (Brady) Blackmer and Aspen (Daniel) Sykes, all who continued to bless their lives. In 1985 Ray and Darlene settled in Dolores, a beautiful small river valley in Southwest Colorado, where they would raise their family along with many of their friends who lovingly became honorary daughters and sons. Their home and business, The Outpost Motel, would become the gathering place for countless get-togethers celebrating life events. In his early years in Dolores, Ray joined the volunteer fire department where he embodied the characteristics of a true team member making many life-long friends. He was honored with Fireman of the year, an honor he cherished. Knowing that you’ve left a mark on people’s hearts and lives is the most rewarding reflection on a life well lived and work well done. Ray certainly left a mark with his unending commitment to his family. It seems that every day he leaned forward to “getting it done”, doing what was most important on the list, checking that off, then on to the next item. His deep work ethic and eye for the details certainly earned him the respect and appreciation of his employers and colleagues over the years. Ray has joined our “Staff in the Sky” including many beloved family members and friends. He will be deeply missed on Earth by his loving wife, daughters, their spouses and his beautiful grandchildren: Raygan and Brock (Wright); Fiona, Owen and Nolan (Blackmer); and Avery and Leonard (Sykes), plus his extended family and friends. God has Ray in heaven and we will forever have him in our hearts. A memorial service will be planned for Summer 2021 in Dolores. Please visit Ray’s Memorial Page to share your memories and pictures with the family: www.forevermissed.com/raymond-charles-leblanc/about
