Merry, Ray is memorialized in MN high school basketball history for coaching the Luverne Cardinals to the 1964 State High School Championship. Coach Ray, and his "Merry Men", captured the state high school basketball title during the height and popularity of the celebrated single class era. Ray, 88, whose humble, practical, family-oriented spirit belied his basketball legacy, died Monday, March 19, 2018, at home in Plymouth. Born January 6, 1930, in Larimore, ND, Ray's all-state basketball honor earned him a scholarship to play at UND, which took a detour while he served in the navy. He returned to UND, graduated with a B.S. in Education, and began 2 years active duty in the Army, including service in Korea. Immediately "smitten" upon meeting Mary (McGuckin) on a blind date, he adored and married his college sweetheart in 1951, which subjected her to a lifetime of "explaining/spelling" her name alliteration, Mary Merry. Along with their growing family, Mary was a constant presence courtside as Ray taught/coached in the MN small towns of Magnolia, Goodhue, and through the pinnacle state championship win in Luverne. Though the Luverne Cardinals were predicted to be a perennial powerhouse, Ray and Mary found it necessary to relocate their family near major medical resources for continual treatment of daughter Jeanne's osteogenesis imperfecta challenges. "Courted" by Robbinsdale High School, Ray coached the "Robins" basketball team from 1964-68, while he acquired two Masters/a Specialist Degree and transitioned to administration as a Principal until RHS closed in 1982. He retired as a Principal at Armstrong High School in 1987. Retirement years allotted time for home improvement projects, honing master gardening skills (he loved his roses) and were divided between MN and a residence in The Villages, FL, until health needs "trumped" warm weather golf. A gifted conversationalist, Ray's focused and personal interest in every conversation was evident in the many times he'd address an individual by their first name. A consummate (and sometimes repetitive) storyteller, he'd preface an anecdote with "This is a true story" and finish it with a rhetorical "Isn't that interesting?" Not one for pretense, Ray's simple, unassuming side battled one uncharacteristic trait: Yearning to appear dapper and fashionable, (frustratingly) meant eschewing hearing aids because he didn't like "the look of them". He was in awe of his children (and grandchildren), yet dismissed his influential role in shaping their independence, success, work ethic, and perseverance. Throughout his life, Ray overcame challenges and made sacrifices, but one of the most difficult was his need to place his most cherished wife, Mary, in memory care. Inseparable for many years, he never recovered from her absence. He genuinely believed, however, he'd been abundantly blessed, and often said, "Life doesn't owe me anything". You were a gentle, good, solid man, husband, father, coach and mentor, Ray, and WE are the blessed ones for having known your love. Ray is survived by Mary, his bride of 66 yrs (in late stage Alzheimers); daughter, Jennifer (Randy) Koski of Lakeland, FL; son, Bruce (Anne LaFrance) of Wayzata; son, Robert of Plymouth; sister, Ruby (Orville) Johnson of Naples, FL; granddaughters, Marissa (Mark) Ray, Bri (Andy) Dunbar; grandsons, Graham (Liz) Merry, Griffin Merry (Bridget Blacker) of Seattle, WA; 9 great-grandchildren, ages 7 mos to 9 yrs.; many in-laws, nieces/nephews, numerous life- long friends. His daughter, Jeanne, sister, Myrell, and parents, Effie and Elmore preceded him in death. A Celebration of Ray's life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 14, with visitation 90 minutes prior at St Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Rd 6, Plymouth, MN. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the MN-ND Alzheimer's Ass'n. Gearty-Delmore 763-553-1411 gearty-delmore.com