Ray Bowling
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On November 4, 2017 @ 10:03 am In 2017,Obituaries | 9 Comments
Charles “Ray” Bowling, age 62 of Orlando, Florida, currently residing in Belle Plaine, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2017. A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 8th at 1:00 pm with visitation two hours prior, at Ballard Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Ray’s memory by the family.
Ray was born in Richmond, Kentucky on September 10, 1956 to parents Charles and Mary Lee (Farler) Bowling. Growing up Ray’s greatest love was “playing ball”. Whether it was baseball, softball, football or basketball, he was at it from dawn to dusk every day. His love of sports continued to develop through his high school years at Lyman High School in Orlando where the nickname “Raybo” was coined and stuck. After graduating, he was offered a college basketball scholarship and pursued a degree in Psychology. His college career was cut short when he decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army Airborne, stationed in Korea. Ray took great pride in his service and patriotism.
After the Army, Ray got the sales bug and decided to try his hand at car sales. He did very well, and rapidly advanced through the ranks. His most recent position was General Manager of Jim Lupient’s Bargain Lot. He also owned and operated a renovation/construction business in Florida. Throughout his working career his love of sports never faded. He continued to be an avid sports fan, and even played for a professional softball team. In more recent years, as football and basketball proved more painful, he took up golf as well.
Some 30 years ago, Ray met the love of his life, Lezlie, another sports nut. They thoroughly enjoyed watching games, attending games, playing softball and golfing – but mostly thoroughly enjoyed each other. Ray’s greatest love was spending time with his family, especially with his grandson Nolan. He was also very much looking forward to the birth of Nolan’s brother, his “future draft choice”.
Ray will always be remembered as a great motivator, accomplished speaker, very outgoing and very social. Whether he was motivating a sales force or wishing a niece a happy birthday, his heart was in it, and he always “knocked it out of the park”. He was always positive, encouraging and a genuine inspiration to others. He was the consummate role model, and held the ability to make everyone feel special.
Left to honor Ray’s life is his fiancé Lezlie Colburn; mother, Mary Lee Bowling; children, Mathew Bowling, Garrett Bowling, Dylan (Demi) Bowling and Hunter Bowling; grandchildren, Nolan, and a future draft choice; aunts, Mallie Farler and Oma Spivey; many other loving relatives and friends.
Ray is preceded in death and welcomed to heaven by his brother, Larry Bowling and daughter, Dawn Bowling.
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Did ray play basketball at Patrick Henry junior college in say 1975 ? This question is from Peter Carr , Thank you
Ray’s commanding presence was tempered with such a gentle disposition. Each quality enhanced and refined the other. People were naturally drawn to him and sought him out for advice and insight I was lucky enough to be trained by Ray at Morrie’s and we quickly became good friends and golf buddies. We were both new to Minnesota and the first round of golf either of us played here we played together, just the two of us at Baker. We also played together in a tournament last summer where Ray won longest drive, of course, and I took a picture of him with his prize, not knowing it would be the last time I would see him.
It is said that if you want to get someone’s attention, whisper. For such a mountain of a man, Ray often spoke in hushed tones as if he was letting you in on a secret, or privileged information. We would often “walk the lot” together and talk about everything under the sun.
He was extremely proud of his family and his son’s athletic exploits, he adored you Lezlie and he spoke of the pain of losing Dawn after a long and painful battle. A loss no parent should ever have to endure.
Ray will be missed and remembered well and his legacy will endure in our memories and in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Ray enriched each of our lives with his warm, gentle “southern gentleman” demeanor. Our love goes out to his family. As you console each other, know that there are many of us who loved Ray and grieve his loss with heavy hearts. Godspeed.
Loved Ray, he was a pleasure to work with at SunTrust Bank. Ray was my friend and will be missed very much.
What an incredible man Ray was, thankyou Ray for being the step in grandfather to my great niece Sofia & great nephew Kaleb and always being encouraging to them!!! You will be greatly miss! Say hello to Chuck in heaven for me!
Anita
My sincere condolences to Ray’s Family as I’m shocked to hear of his death. I played a lot of softball with Ray and played golf with him like only a year and a half ago and he seemed fine except for our mutual pains of growing older. He was great to be around and I had a great time knowing him. May he rest in peace!
John and Sheila McGuire
Sorry I won’t be present with you but my thoughts and prayers will be now and in the coming days. Love and sympathy to all of you.
It would take about 50 times the space provided to me here to share all the great and sometimes crazy times I had with Ray over all the years. Though we only touched base a few times a year by phone , I always felt like I never lost touch with Ray.
Ray always called me his greatest softball coach and made me acknowledge him as my greatest softball creation (LOL) . It was always required prior to any conversations we would have.
What saddens me the most is that Ray for a few years wanted to get the old gang back together at least once a year before it was too late. Maybe we can honor him by pursuing that moving forward.
Rest in peace my friend. You will be sorely missed.
Oh Lezlie and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ray.
I did not know him well, however so appreciate the knowledge of sports that he so willingly shared with Kaleb.
The kids, Kaleb, Sofia and myself send our condolences.
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These things are never easy to write and with a heavy heart we hope that all the cherished memory’s that you have of Ray brings you some light during this dark time. During the short time that we knew Ray we grew to love him and respect him as our friend and mentor. All of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time. Our deepest condolences.
Philip, Sam,