Gordon Alfred Raley

Gordon A. Raley- A Tribute Celebration of His Life Service is May 21st, 2022 - Details are below. Gordon Alfred Raley, 75, of Alexandria, VA, passed away quietly on the evening of January 15, 2022, with his wife, Nancy, daughter, Tiffany and son-in-law, Bennett, at his bedside. Born July 5, 1946, in Potter County, Amarillo, TX, he was the son of the late Sam Tom and Carolyn Lois Vick Raley, and brother to two younger sisters, Lara Raley Bryan and Arrie Raley McLaurin. He spent most of his childhood in East Texas and North Louisiana. He contracted polio in 1952, in one of Houston’s last polio epidemics. Though corrective surgeries by the time he was fourteen removed many physical limitations for him when younger, it reappeared as post-polio syndrome (PPS) in recent years. Participation on many local community boards and projects influenced Gordon’s interest in politics and the career path he chose. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Baylor University, Waco, TX, and a master’s degree in Community Organization and Planning from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. He was a Fellow at the Institute of Politics, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, and Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, CO. Gordon met his wife, Nancy Kathryn Brown, in Shreveport, LA, in 1983, and they were married in 1988, in Fairfax, VA. They enjoyed sharing many common interests such as books, music, food and travel. They especially loved to entertain and spend time with their family and friends. Daily living was never boring. They supported and encouraged one another in their respective careers. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA, for over 30 years. He and his wife raised one daughter, Tiffany. Gordon loved being a dad and was a natural at it. He was an encourager of her many interests in music, sports, books and education. He was especially proud of her when she received her master’s degree in social work. Most of all he delighted in family. In 2020, when he became a grandfather to Brydon Liam Fisher, his joy seemed complete. Gordon Raley was a born leader, clearly illustrated throughout the arc of his entire professional career, as shown by leadership roles including titles of director, vice president, president, and CEO as his management skills evolved over 45 years from his early position as a Congressional subcommittee staff director to his ultimate role as CEO of the Family Service Foundation. Significant Periods in Gordon Raley’s Professional Career 2014-2022 - Chief Executive Officer, Family Service Foundation (FSF), Landover Hills, MD. Under Gordon’s leadership, this $10 million not-for-profit organization integrated and expanded social services provided in Prince George’s, Frederick, and Baltimore counties. He grew the foundation by improving the reputation and quality of service delivery for FSF clients with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and deaf and deaf-blind individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health concerns. FSF provided residential and day services and operated an outpatient mental health clinic. Gordon took pride in having established performance measures and accountability for all staff and fostering a culture and environment of care for both staff and clients alike. Gordon once wrote on the FSF website: “As the CEO of [FSF], I’m a lucky man. Few leaders have staff that meld professional skill together so seamlessly with compassion and commitment. I have a board energetically dedicated to the organization’s mission, ready to grow FSF toward its vision of providing world-class behavioral health and developmental disability services throughout the State of Maryland. I’m in the happy opposite of a perfect storm, where forces for good come together to move a storied organization from good to great. I’m proud to be here.” 2004-2014 - Director, Public Policy, FHI 360, Washington, DC Gordon created and headed FHI 360’s first public policy unit and served on the senior management team for this international human development organization providing research and program services related to global health and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases throughout the developing world. 2001-2003 - Vice President, Affiliate and Federal Partnerships, National Mental Health Association, Alexandria, VA Gordon oversaw two major departmental initiatives -- one responsible for increasing NMHA’s policy engagement with targeted Federal health and human service agencies, and the other for developing and delivering technical assistance to NMHA’s affiliate field of 340 state and local mental health associations. 1990-2001 - President and CEO, National Assembly of Health and Human Service Organizations, Washington, DC Gordon led this non-profit serving 58 national charitable groups. During his 11- year tenure he increased membership by 50%, doubled reserves, and spearheaded strategic planning. He also secured $2 million in foundation funding. He developed programs and served as lobbyist for the organization’s two affinity groups. He coordinated drafting and Congressional introduction of multiple legislative initiatives, including bills on youth development and child protection. He led the board’s efforts to formulate, complete, and implement a strategic plan addressing youth worker training and a forum on drug and alcohol abuse prevention. 1987-1990 - Assistant Executive Director for Government Relations, American Vocational Association, Alexandria, VA Gordon headed government relations, representing more than 45,000 vocational educators and administrators. He developed association positions on legislation, regulations, and funding related to education, employment, and job training. He drafted proposed legislation, including the AVA model bill reauthorizing the Vocational Educational Act. 1985-1987 - Director of Public Policy, Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC Gordon headed government affairs, forming policy positions on legislative, tax, and appropriation issues. Prepared drafts of Young Americans Act, introduced by Rep. Claude Pepper (D-FL) and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT), which became law during the 101st Congress. Gordon also served on the steering committee of the Alliance for Better Child Care. 1977-1985 - Staff Director, US House of Representatives, Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Washington, DC Chief of staff for the Congressional subcommittee with jurisdiction over programs for children, youth, the poor, and elderly. Subcommittee purview included child care, Head Start, the Juvenile Justice Act, Follow Through, low-income energy assistance, the Community Services Block Grant, and the Older Americans Act. Gordon took particular pride in working to help diverse segments of the population to be heard by the Congress, as he and his fellow staffers saw their efforts to represent widely divergent American interests rewarded by the passage of specific legislation addressing these causes. During the last session of the 98th Congress, Gordon’s subcommittee successfully reauthorized all legislation under its jurisdiction and enacted three new initiatives pertaining to missing children, child care information and referral, and older American health education. Publications- In addition to his professional duties spanning his 50-year career, Gordon authored or co-authored dozens of publications and institutional reports on subjects ranging from family preservation to juvenile justice and the effects of growing up poor in America. Addtional Information - Gordon is predeceased by his parents, Sam and Carolyn Raley of Carthage, TX. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Kathryn Raley of Alexandria, VA; daughter, Tiffany Kathryn Fisher and husband Bennett, and grandson Brydon, of Alexandria, VA; sisters Lara Bryan and husband David, Arrie McLaurin and husband John, both of Shreveport, LA; thirteen nieces and eleven nephews; several great-nephews and great-nieces. Several cousins and many close friends also survive. ************************************************************************************************************************ A Celebration-of-Life memorial service for Gordon will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with music beginning at 10:30 a.m. The address is 1301 Collingwood Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308. The service will be in person or online via Facebook Live or YouTube live stream at the Aldersgate United Methodist. Please visit Demaine Funeral Home tribute page for Gordon A. Raley for live stream link on the day of the service. ************************************************************************************************************************ The family suggests in lieu of flowers that a memorial donation in Gordon’s name be given to: - Rising Hope Mission Church, 8220 Russell Rd., Alexandria, VA 22309; - or Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria, VA 22308; - or Family Services Foundation, 5301 76th Avenue, Landover Hills, MD 20784. If you do prefer to send flowers, they may be sent to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Gordon’s family wishes to extend a very special “Thank You” to the dedicated and compassionate staffs at Inova Alexandria Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and Demaine Funeral Home. For further information or, should you like to send condolences online please go to www.dignitymemorial.com. A guestbook will be available at the memorial service as well. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DemaineFuneralHomes.com for the RALEY family.