Raymond James Edwards

Born in 1925, Ray Edwards grew up in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. During his youth, Ray was an active Eagle Scout and a Sea Scout (a maritime version of scouting). Ray was crazy about boats and started working on fishing boats from the time he was nine years old!

In 1942, Ray enlisted in the Navy at 17 and planned to make the Navy his career, but that changed when his ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean sea and he was severely injured. After several months in the Brooklyn Naval hospital he received a medical discharge. After the Navy, Ray pursued and received his Capitan's license for commercial fishing. He did that for a while, but also took on several challenging jobs from Steeple-Jacking to deep sea diving, forestry jobs, as well as office jobs on Wall Street and in engineering. Ray attended college at Penn State, and by a chance decision, he choose the subject of Religion for a term paper which inspired him to become a Catholic.

Ray moved to Sacramento in 1949 to work for the State of California. He became an avid skier and ice skater. In 1952 he met Mary Ann on a ski hill at Tahoe and they were married the same year. .

Ray began playing drums for the folk Mass at Transfiguration Church in 1970 because they needed a drummer. In 1982, he and Mary Ann came to St. Mary's and Ray continued playing drums. This means that for 41 years, he has " Schlepped" his drum set to church every Sunday!

In 1987, Ray retired from the City of San Jose after 30 years in traffic engineering. For several years he and Mary Ann enjoyed their time traveling throughout the US in their trailer.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Mary Ann Edwards.

Daughter Theresa Walker and Jane Beach.

Grandchildren Christopher and Nikole Walker and Audrey and Isaac Beach.

Sister Penny Nonnamacher and the late Jean Dinkelberg.

Memorial Service will be held Tuesday March 10, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Church 219 Bean Ave. Los Gatos, Ca 95030

In Lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Saint Mary's Church.

Arrangements under the direction of Willow Glen Funeral Home.