Raymond Victor Conrad

August 29, 1934 - May 1, 2020

Ray passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 1, 2020.  He was 85 years old.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sharon, and their 6 children: Tony (Wife-Christine), Teresa, Tammy, Ted (Wife- Amanda), Rayann (Husband-Scott) and Sharay (Husband-Adam).  He was an immensely proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren, Joel (wife-Mirja,) Andrew, Matthew (Wife-Sara), Alexandria (Husband-Kyle), Micheal B., Laurel, Emily, Michael C., Stephen, Joshua, Brayden, Lucas, and Logan. He always had room on his lap for his 10 great-grandchildren: JT, Brooke, Veronica, Isabelle, Zoey, Benjamin, Nicole, Konnor, Christopher, and Sawyer.  He had many nieces and nephews and their children.

Ray was born August 29, 1934 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to William and Myrtle (Juanita) Conrad.  His father was a musician that had played trumpet in a circus band and his mother was the circus high driver.  Ray was the 7th of their 8 children.  He was proceeded in death by his sister Margaret Ragone and all his brothers- William Jr., Calvin, Edwin, Robert, Charles, and Donald Conrad.  

Being born at the height of the depression had a large impact on Ray.  He came from a family that had little, so he saw treasures in things that others may not.  He knew that it took hard work to provide for his family. He worked at his mother’s restaurant when he was young.  He was a cook in the Navy, worked at a mechanic shop, owed a screen shop.  He worked on mobile homes and did other types of construction for the last 50 years.  He finally retired at the age of 84 due to his health.  Through the years he helped instill a strong work ethic in his children, grandchildren, nephews, and many others that worked for him and learned their trade. 

Ray was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1960 in the Fontana area and attended congregations in the Rialto, Riverside and Rubidoux areas.  Ray will always be remembered for his willingness to help others and his love of volunteering as a cook at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Circuit Assemblies he would attend.  Ray always had candy to give out, as he received great joy in tapping into the child within us all.

Ray and his amazing smile will be dearly missed by his many friends and loved ones until Jehovah God awakens him in the Resurrection.