Raymond G. “Ray” Johnson, age 68, of Lowell, Michigan, passed away suddenly on August 7, 2026.
Born on January 11, 1958, in Muskegon, Michigan, Ray built a life around the things that mattered most to him: good friends, familiar traditions, friendly competition, time outdoors, and the comfort of being surrounded by people he cared about. Fun-loving, eccentric, and wonderfully quirky, Ray had a personality all his own. Those who knew him understood that there was simply no one else quite like him.
Ray graduated from Mona Shores High School with the Class of 1976 before attending Muskegon Community College and later Central Michigan University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Ray’s professional life reflected both his analytical mind and his ability to adapt. Over several decades, his work included database development, environmental laboratory testing, data management, purchasing, procurement, logistics, and quality assurance. He worked for Ferguson Supply Company, Earth Tech Analytical Services, TriMatrix Labs, Inc., and Pace Analytical. Whether performing his own job or mentoring others, he brought knowledge, experience, and steadiness to each role.
Ray’s work reflected his skill and experience, but the heart of his life was found in the people, places, and traditions he loved. He loved golfing, fishing, skiing, and bowling, and was a loyal Michigan sports fan, especially when it came to Lions football and Tigers baseball. Fantasy football became a longtime tradition, combining his love of sports with his competitive side. He was always up for a game of Euchre or Left Right Center, where the real reward was having everyone gathered around the same table.
Ray appreciated those everyday rituals that quietly become some of life’s best memories. One of those was his daily social hour at his neighbors’ home, a familiar place to visit, catch up, laugh, and enjoy the company of friends. Those ordinary afternoons and evenings became an important part of the rhythm of his life.
Perhaps no place held more memories for Ray than the cottage he shared with his sister, Nancy, on Cedar Hedge Lake in Interlochen, Michigan, appropriately named “Johnson’s Landing”. It was a place tied to family, fishing, relaxation, and years of memories, a place where life could slow down for a while and where Ray could enjoy many of the things he loved most.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Lorraine Johnson and Rodger Johnson of Norton Shores, Michigan, and his infant brother, Douglas Johnson. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Johnson; brother-in-law, Timothy Nelson; and nephew, Leland Nelson, all of Traverse City, Michigan, as well as multiple cousins. His family remained an important thread throughout his life, connected through shared history, traditions, and memories built over many years.
Ray was also fortunate to build a wide circle of friendships throughout his life. He is lovingly remembered by special friends Mike and Ruthanne Ferris; Mike and Heather Visscher (Ferris); Scott and Dawn Young; Ed Spoelman; and many other dear friends, neighbors, and longtime companions who became an important part of his world. Through sports, games, daily visits, shared traditions, conversations, and simple time spent together, Ray valued the community he built around him. For Ray, some of those friendships became family in their own right.
Ray’s story can be found in the things he returned to again and again: a fishing line cast across the water, a round of golf, a day spent skiing, an evening at the bowling alley, the Lions on a Sunday afternoon, Tigers baseball, a competitive hand of Euchre, fantasy football season, time with neighbors, and trips north to the cottage. His life was made meaningful by those moments, and by the people who shared them with him.
A Celebration of Life honoring Ray will be held at a later date, when family and friends will gather to share memories, stories, laughter, and the moments that made knowing him special. Details will be shared with family and friends as arrangements are made.
For those who knew Ray, perhaps the best way to honor him is simple: gather around a table, deal another hand, watch the game, cast a line, share a story, and make time for the people who can turn an ordinary day into one worth remembering.
Ray’s fun-loving spirit, eccentricities, quirks, and unmistakable way of being himself made him one of a kind. He will be deeply missed, his stories will continue to be told, and his memory will live on through family, friends, neighbors, and many others fortunate enough to have shared in his life.
One Response
My husband, Kim and I loved hanging out with Ray at the neighbors house and shooting the breeze-play some cards and even dance a little a time or two back in the day.
Ray was a great guy and will be sadly missed on Baywicke 😞
RIP my friend