Robert Kirk Ray

On the 23rd Day of February, 2021 we lost Robert "Rob" Kirk Ray, 52, of Baltimore, Maryland as he passed away. Married for 14 years, the beloved husband of Jennifer Ray (nee Hodorovich). The Son of Charles Ray and the late Hazel Ray, the cherished brother of Paul David Ray and his wife Liz, Gary Lee Ray, Darren Ray and his wife Shelly and his sister Nancy Norat and her husband Will. Brother in law of Darren Hodorovich and his wife Sandy, and the late Chris Hodorovich. Loving fur father of Ophelia, Clarence, Cleo, Gizmo and Luna. Also survived by a constellation of nieces, nephews, a godchild, his Jaycee family and all the other family and friends who loved Rob.

The gentle giant, the big teddy bear, the man with a heart of gold. He would do anything to help anyone and did it without even being asked. If you needed something moved, fixed, or to get away from someone who might be annoying you; he just stepped in and made it happen. His personality was to smile and talk seriously, so no matter what message he had to give you, you still walked away loving the big guy.

An avid Ravens fan, Orioles fan, and quite frankly all things Baltimore – he was proud of growing up “just a few blocks behind the old Memorial Stadium.” He loved talking about “the old neighborhood/gang” and his job with the Baltimore Orioles when he was a teenager was one of his favorites. He never tried to tell you who he met, including how he shook President Ronald Regan’s hand. How President Regan took the time to shake every person’s hand in that room. It may very well have defined leadership to Rob because he treated everyone with respect. Your title didn’t matter, what you did for a living didn’t matter, simply put, YOU mattered.

He loved the Jaycees organization and with his wife, they continued to talk about ideas and projects and programs that could help the organization. He loved the Jaycee-Senate organization and was looking forward to one day serving as a National Vice President with it. He loved the people he met and made friends with every person. He loved to laugh and joke and make people laugh. He walked in a room and people wanted to be around him. He walked into a room and talked to everyone.

Whether it was putting on a dress to run into the ocean on New Year’s Day for charity, a “wolf mama” costume to scare kids at the Jaycees Haunted House and beyond, or simply sitting around cheering people up, being their shoulder, and making everyone feel like they belonged, he was the one everyone turned too.

Missing him is the understatement of the world in a world where understatement has been all we have known for too long now. The hole he has left in our hearts is bigger than the big guy ever was. He is missed, he is loved, he will be remembered, always. O

Donations may be sent to either to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Maryland Chapter or to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland as follows:             

LLS-Maryland

P.O. Box 22470

New York, NY 10087-2470

Or

Donations can be made to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland (MOWCM) online:www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/donate - please check In Memory and note Rob Ray.

Checks may be mailed to: Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Attn: Development, 515 South Haven Street, Baltimore, MD 21224.  Please include: In Memory of Rob Ray and acknowledgement address

Family and friends will honor and celebrate Rob's life at the family owned Evan's Life Celebration Home - 8800 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 from 4-8PM. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, April 8th, 2021. Per the family's request, mass will be private. As a reminder, we ask that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing during the visitation. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Kirk Ray, please visit our floral store.