Ray Alanson Harding

The world lost one of its sweetest, funniest and most gentle souls with the sudden and very unexpected passing of Ray A. Harding on Dec. 14, 2014. While attending the Seahawks game with his family, Ray suffered an embolism to his otherwise very healthy, loving heart. Ray was born Aug. 28, 1926, in Walla Walla to Henry and Emma Harding.

Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beverly; and his son, Jerry. Ray will be greatly missed by his brother, Alvin Harding of Walla Walla; daughter-in-law, Rietta Harding of Ellensburg, Wash.; daughters, Janice (Jerry) Funden of Marysville, Wash., Lynda (David) Jones of Marysville, Wash., and Kristine (Michael) Gray of Waterville, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ray spent his childhood in Walla Walla, where he began his lifelong commitment of serving others while still in high school by joining the ROTC. As a senior, Ray served as captain of an ROTC company and was awarded the Outstanding Officer medal. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Program serving as a member of the PBY squadron PBS 91.

Following his discharge in 1946, he enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University and earned his bachelor’s degree. During his time at PLU, he met Beverly, the love of his life and the two were married in 1947. Ray then went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from Washington State University.

Ray began his career in education at the Richland School District, where he served for nine years. During their time at Richland, Ray and Beverly were blessed with their four children. In 1959, Ray and his family moved to Marysville, Wash. Ray began his service at Marysville as principal of the Marysville Junior High Schools, where he developed the district’s first secondary special needs program. Ray became part of district central administrative staff in 1969 and was elected district superintendent in 1975.

Ray had many accomplishments as superintendent, including working to expand and improve facilities and helping to establish the Vocational Skills Center. Ray also took great pride in re-establishing trust between the school district and its patrons.

Ray was a devoted Kiwanis member for over 57 years. Among Ray’s many contributions to the community as a Kiwanis member was the direct impact he had on the construction of Jennings Park while serving as club president in 1967. Ray was a longtime active member of the VFW, where his leadership and friendship will be greatly missed. He was a passionate 12th man Seahawk fan, and avid hunter and fisherman — a love he shared with many friends and family members. Ray and Beverly shared a deep interest in family history and their Germans from Russia heritage. Together, they enjoyed an eventful and meaningful trip to Europe, where they explored their heritage and made new friends. Above all, Ray cherished his family, whom will all forever miss his steady presence, his thoughtful words and his loving ways.

Ray provided a glowing example of how to live life through a commitment to professional and personal excellence. He touched the world in a positive light in many ways, leaving a legacy of joy, class and love.

Graveside services will be held in Walla Walla on Dec. 29, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. A memorial service will be at the VFW post 2100 in Everett, Wash., at 3 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to benefit local children at Marysville Kiwanis or Everett Hand in Hand through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.