Ray Keasey

Gary Raymond (Ray) Keasey went home to be with his Lord and Savior October 9, 2025, peacefully and with his beloved wife of 63 years by his side. Ray was born September 27, 1944 to Raymond L. and Orbra Keasey in Seattle, Washington where he grew up with his brother, Bob, enjoying many shenanigans together as only brothers can do. He attended Chief Sealth High School, class of 1962, where he met his beloved wife, Elaine, at a local YMCA dance in the summer of 1961. He saw her that night, kissed her without introduction, and a year later he married his high school sweetheart.

Ray and Elaine started their family in Skyway, WA where Ray was eventually hired by the Boeing Company. They welcomed their children, Janine (Steve) Geho, Raymond L. II (Jacky) Keasey, Lynette (Rick) Chapman and Darryl Keasey. They moved to Everett in 1969 where Ray continued his 42 year career with Boeing until his retirement in 2006. During that time, he was active with his children, and volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and numerous high school religious education programs. He later became a member of the Everett Power Squadron where he served as Commander 2013-2014 and Chaplain for multiple years. He was awarded lifetime membership in 2020.

In 1979, Ray and Elaine answered the desperate international call to sponsor Laotian families staying in refugee camps in Thailand to make room for the influx of millions of people fleeing the killing fields of Cambodia. That December, the Bannavong family, and then a year later, the Manivong family, arrived in the U.S.A. and Ray’s home. This expanded Ray’s family and even today he has always been Dad and Grandpa to them all.

Education was very important to Ray as demonstrated by his love of books and lifelong pursuit of higher learning. While raising his family and working full time, he took several evening classes from Everett Community College, and went on to earn a Teacher Training Certificate from Moody Bible Correspondence Institute of Chicago in 1979, an undergraduate Associate's Degree from Everett Community College in 1989, a Bachelor’s Degree from City University in 1998 and a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Nurture from Western Seminary in 2003.

Ray accepted Christ in his early 20’s and that became a foundation for everything he did in his life. While a member of St. Mary Magdalen Church, he began volunteering for Lowell Community Church. In 1984 he was ordained and served as Associate Pastor at Lowell until his retirement in 2009. He continued his passion for service with St. Vincent de Paul and Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid until 2024.

Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine, his three oldest children, brother Bob (Elenor) Keasey and his family, 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 5 great grandchildren, 12 Laotian children and their extensive families, and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wonderful collection of dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orbra H. Keasey and Raymond L. Keasey, and his youngest child, Darryl Robert Keasey, and Saveng and Somchit Bannavong.

He will be remembered for his deep love and commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and a lifetime of learning and service in His name. He was devoted to his morning quiet time and prayer, and music was ever present throughout the years. Ray enjoyed fishing and crabbing on his boats, Gull Friend and Four Fifties, woodworking, reading, and volunteering. Ray’s quick wit, warm smile, and infectious laughter made him a joy to be around.

Public viewing will be held Thursday, October 30 from 4:00 pm -6:00 pm at Solie Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 31 at 10:30 am at St. Mary Magdalen Church, followed by a reception and eulogies in the parish hall. Private family burial at Holyrood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation to your local St. Vincent de Paul or Children’s Hospital of Seattle in the name of his late God-Daughter, Jenel Poussier.