Ray Allen Gregory, 70, passed away on June 10, 2015, at St. Pete’s Medical Hospital, after a fifteen (15) year battle with prostate cancer.
Although not born in Montana, Ray immediately fell in love with the big sky and sunsets. As an Army Brat, Ray spent the first years of his life in Louisiana, Japan, Texas and Oklahoma. His youth was spent in the piney woods of east Texas, swimming in the creeks around Longview and Waco. When his father, Alfred W. Gregory, was stationed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, that became the family’s permanent residence. Ray would spend his summers exploring the woods around Fort Sill, but he especially loved spending time near and/or around Medicine Bluff. Ray’s home was in the shadow of the bluff, so this was the logical place for him and his friends to spend the hot summer days.
Ray graduated from Lawton High School, Oklahoma, in 1962. There was a saying in the Gregory house, “Join the Navy and see the world, or join the Army and see Fort Sill.” Obviously seeing the world was a much better idea, so Ray enlisted in the US Navy immediately after graduating. After finishing his basic training in San Diego, California, Ray attended the US Navy Submarine Training School at Groton, Connecticut. Upon graduation, Ray was stationed on the USS Bluegill at Pearl Harbor. After further training, Ray served on two (2) nuclear subs, the USS Barb and the USS Sunfish.
In January of 1972, after two (2) tours with the US Navy, Ray applied with the LAPD. After six (6) months academy training, Ray became a sworn Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. Ray had a career of thirty two (32) years with the Department, retiring as a Detective II in November of 2003. Once retired, Ray and his wife, Lovania (Rae), fulfilled their dream of full time RVing for four (4) years before settling in Montana.
Ray is survived by his wife, Lovania (Rae); their two children, John Gregory and Elizabeth Dryer (Spouse Joseph); grandchildren, Travis Dryer, Tyler Dryer and Jenna Dyer, his brothers, Alfred W. Gregory and John D. Gregory (Spouse Susan). He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred W. Gregory and Margaret E. Gregory and his sister, Katherine L. Bowman.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Cancer Treatment Center, Dr. Weiner, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. Lynch, as well as the nursing staff at St. Pete’s Hospital Oncology Unit. Ray could not have been in better hands. Thank You!
A graveside service, with full Military Honors, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16th at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the graveside service at the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray’s name are suggested to the Prostate Cancer Foundation; 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or by visiting www.pcf.org.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday June 16, 2015
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday June 16, 2015
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Albert Hall says
My condolences go out to Rae and the family. RIP Ray.
Janice Voigt says
Love and prayers going out to you Rae and family. Praying for strength and healing in the days and weeks to come. Ray was a true warrior!! I always enjoyed your visits to South Dakota and the wonderful stories Ray would tell. Please know we are thinking about you…Love Janice
Sandi Misenar says
Rae – our love and sympathy to you and the family. Holding you in our prayers.
Sandi and Colin
Bob Helvin says
Rae & family,
On behalf of the LAPD Academy Class of 1-72 (January 1972), I offer our condolences to you and the entire family. Ray and the rest of us began the Academy with 51 recruits and 38 of us graduated. I’m sure Ray told the stories of all of us having to “hit the hill” many times during our physical training. I hadn’t been in the service, so I really appreciated the help of Ray and the other vets with giving me tips on spit shining my shoes! For some reason, Ray and the other Navy vets did it the best! After graduation, our paths never seemed to cross, but we both ended up being detectives! My heart goes out to your family. I can only imagine the loss. I’m sure Ray and some other classmates who’ve been taken from us too soon are “hitting the hill” together inside the Pearly Gates! Bob Helvin #17304
Win & Allison Taylor says
We had the honor of knowing and working with Ray through his assignment at Investigative Analysis Section at police headquarters. Our prayers and hearts are with Rae at this time. Our kids will always remember the days when they rode the train to work and got to have lunch with “Detective Ray”. Although our time together is short, we know that those who love the Lord will have an eternal home together for eternity. Til we meet again dear friend.
The Rudas Family says
Aunt Rae and Family, We ask God to send you His blessings to you in these tough times…Uncle Ray you will never be forgotten because your children & grandchildren and Aunt Rae will always keep your memory alive! I am so glad we (Tina, crazy Karen and Savy) got to see you last September. We send all our love to our cousins
Liz, Joe & Travis, Tyler and Jenna and Aunt Rae… Xoxo
Jake de Leon says
I met Ray at Rampart in the 70s, Ray without a doubt, was one of the best, dependable, hard working, and professional Policeman that I had worked with during my twenty plus years in LAPD. Officer Ray Gregory was indeed a Good Man! Rest in Peace Ray. The Lords Blessings to His family. Jake de Leon 11205
Brooks Rayborne says
Ray and I met approx 20 years ago ?? I was working LAPD Central Traffic Division assigned to the Rampart area and Ray was working Rampart Patrol alone….I don’t recall exactly how but we probably had coffee at the Double Eagle.. He was talking about his family and his step son who was a rodeo cowboy. I told him my wife had a nephew who also was a rodeo cowboy but had some injuries that sidelined him for awhile.. Ray said his step son was injured also . Ray asked me his name in case he could recognize it from the rodeos he had attended.. I told him everyone calls him John John .. And that’s all it took.. I then found out that was his step son. I told him my wife’s aunts name was Rae.. And you should have seen the look on his face.. He said that’s my wife’s name.. And that’s how our friendship started.. I only saw him a few more times after that.. My job took me to different divisions everyday.. And also different work shifts.. I lost contact with him in 1998 as my assignment to subpoena control officer took me to my retirement in 2002.. As he and Rae traveled the country we stayed in contact through e mail..He remembered I was in the Navy and always sent me Navy stuff.. And as we got older or up in years he would send me senior citizen jokes .. When he settled down in Montana we were able to talk on the phone alot.. Last year he sent me an old police motorcycle siren which I got to work.. I tried taking videos of it and e mailing them but got the same old story video too large.. He even e mailed me the history behind it which I printed out and kept..The last year or so I talked to him on the phone almost weekly when he was able to talk.. I told him I would try my hardest to visit him but he said don’t worry about it.. These phone calls really help.. So I would talk to Rae .. May I call her Aunt Rae as that is how I met her over 40 years ago.. So Aunt Rae.. Karen and I are truly sorry.. We send our condolences and our love.. Also our Love and prayers to Liz and Joe and family..And I won’t stop the phone calls .. So say hey Ray.. (our little joke) .. Watch your back keep your powder dry and we ‘ll exchange jokes again some day..KMA 367 ..
Don Wynne says
Ray was my training oficer in Rampart Division, LAPD, around 1984-85. He was a good police officer and a good man. I’m very sad to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to the family.
Don Wynne
john Gregory says
I loved and love you dad so very much and I always have.I know your in heaven and I hope you are smiling down on me because you know all the love for you that has always been in my heart for you.anyone out there who would like to contact me to talk about and fondly remember my dad PLEASE contact me at (951) 970-5967.love you dad.your son always john