Dennis M. Ray

An avid card game player, outdoorsman, and bird watcher are just a few words to describe Dennis Ray. With the United States being involved in the Korean War, 1951's technology was advancing as the U.S. designed the Breeder Reactor which converted Uranium to Plutonium and the first commercial computer, UNIVAC, is put into use at the U.S. Census Bureau. In entertainment, movies The Day the Earth Stood Still, Disney's Alice in Wonderland appear in theaters along with the tv series, "I Love Lucy" premieres on CBS. Dennis the Menace comic strip appears in newspapers across the U.S. for the first time and the phrase, Rock N Roll is coined by Cleveland Disc Jockey Alan Freed. The year also marked the births of Phil Collins, Sting and on May 27, 1951 Ernest and Mary (Moon) Ray welcomed the birth of Dennis Marshall Ray in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dennis attended local schools and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School, with the Class of 1969 and went on to attend Purdue University. When he was younger, Dennis aspired to be a conservation officer, which led him to spend a summer working on a ranch in Wyoming and to take a trip to Alaska in his jeep. Dennis could be found doing anything that pertained to nature, that included fishing, golfing, and comparing the different types of trees in the woods. He could even identify birds by the sound of their chirps!

On June 2, 1989 Dennis enjoyed one of the happiest days in his life when he married Trois Ann Rice in Columbia City.

Dennis worked for Joslyn Stainless Steel Corporation until their closing, when he went to work for Superior Essex Wire and Cable. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and was always Papa to them. Other special times like Thanksgivings together, decorating cookies, and making crafts at Christmas were also fun. These and many other memories will continue to remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved Dennis.

Much to the surprise of all, at the age of 67, Dennis passed away at 4:45 am on Tuesday January 29, 2019 at Miller's Merry Manor, Columbia City, IN. Survivors include his daughter Amara "Aimee" (Mark) Noragon of Columbia City; grandchildren Tyler Noragon of Tempe, AZ, Baley (Eric) Davies and Ryce Noragon, both of Columbia City; great-grandchildren Emily and Logan; sister Suzanne (Steve) Deubner of Columbia City; nephew Todd (Erin) Cook of Columbia City; niece Robyn Tuttle of South Whitley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Trois Ann Ray, and son Terry Boyles. Friends may call from 2:00-5:00 pm on Friday February 1, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Dennis will be held immediately following at 5:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. Memorial contributions in memory of Dennis may be made to his final expense account. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.