E Ray Bateman

October 20, 1937 – September 12, 2023

E Ray Bateman passed away peacefully in the early morning of September 12, 2023 at the age of 85. He was born on October 20,1937 as the third son to Marlon and Mary Bateman in Murray, Utah. He grew up in the Sandy area with his three brothers, Marlon, Neldon and Don.

Ray graduated from Jordan High School, where he was a cheerleader for the Beetdiggers. He served a two-year mission in Eastern Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and soon after, met the love of his life Mira Dorene Odette. Ray and Mira married on November 11, 1961 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Ray also served in the Air Force National Guard and attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.

Ray and Mira were blessed with five children, three girls and two boys. They raised their family in St. Louis Missouri, where they became die-hard baseball fans of the St. Louis Cardinals. After 32 years, he retired as a sales executive for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and moved to Utah.

Ray was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and diligently served in a variety of Church callings throughout his life. Some of these include Sunday School teacher, Bishop, Welfare Director and High Counselor. In 1996, Ray and his wife moved to California where he served as the President of the California Carlsbad Mission. During the April, 1998 general conference, he was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventies and moved to Tokyo to serve in the Asia North Area. Here, Ray and Mira enjoyed working with the people in eastern Russia, Korea, and Japan. Three years later, they moved to Hong Kong and worked with Saints across the regions from Mongolia to India of the Asia Area. After these foreign assignments, Ray and Mira returned home to Salt Lake City where he served as the First Counselor in the Jordan River Temple presidency. He then became a sealer in the temple and was able to officiate many sealings, including many of his own grandchildren. Ray was blessed to have his loving wife by his side the entire time.

Ray leaves behind his eternal companion of 62 years, Mira; his five children Berdette (Kevin) Ek, Diane (Shawn) Lavender, Brad (Samantha) Bateman, Sean (Angela) Bateman and Tara (Ryan) Smart; 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by granddaughter Kaela, his parents and all three brothers.

Family welcomes donations to the General Missionary Fund as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers: Please scroll down for access to Missionary Fund Donations link.