F Ray Masayko

A celebration of life service for F. Raymond “Ray” Masayko who died September 22, 2024, at his Empire Ranch home will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center, 851 East William Street, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Ken Haskins with First Christian Church of Carson City will be the officiant.

Born on December 6, 1944, to Frank Raymond and Ina Mae “Mickey” in Alexandria, Virginia, the Masaykos arrived in Hawthorne, Nevada, in 1947 to work at the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Depot. Ray attended local schools in Hawthorne and graduated from Mineral County High School in the Class of 1962.

Following high school graduation, Ray attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and returned to Hawthorne to work as a lineman for the county power company. Later he was promoted to Executive Manager for Sierra Pacific Power Company and following a 25-year career, he retired in 1996. Ray’s commitment to service began in Hawthorne where he was a lifelong member of the Hawthorne B.P.O. Elks 1704 Lodge, and charter member of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce. He held various elected offices for the Hawthorne Lions Club and was selected as Lion of the Year in 1976-1977. He was a member of the Hawthorne Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance service.

After retiring from Sierra Pacific, Ray served two terms as Carson City’s Mayor (1997-2004). His management style was being accessible and attending nearly every public function imaginable. Ray also found time to continue his education by attending Western Nevada College. After leaving elective office in 2004, Mayor Masayko earned his credentials as a Registered Investment Advisor and was affiliated with HD Vest Financial Services as a Financial Advisor.

During his tenure as Mayor, he worked on significant projects such as Chairman of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway, the Carson City Bypass Road, and city infrastructure. He was President of the Nevada Association of Counties Board, a member of the Carson City Senior Citizens Center Advisory Council, the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Carson City Navy League, Warren Engine Co. No. 1 Volunteer Fire Department, and the Nevada Day Committee.

His contributions were recognized when he was named Carson City’s Citizen of the Year in 1991 and he was honored by the Carson City Host Lions Club for his efforts in establishing and supporting scholarships with the Sustaining Member Fellowship in 2023. In May 2024, he was honored by the entire District 46 with the Outstanding Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Past District Governors Association. In June of 2024, he celebrated 54 years in Lionism. Ray’s motto, “service above self,” was a guiding principle in his life.

Surviving is his wife, Diane of Carson City; sister, Marsha Cornella of Hawthorne; daughters Kathy (Paul) Trujillo of Hawthorne, Nevada; Christine (Mark) Faulstich of Reno; sons Rob Pruss of Carson City and James (Tammi) Pruss of Tolleson, Arizona; grandchildren Carla Trujillo, Paul E. Trujillo, Gail Trujillo, PhD Candidate Sam Faulstich and Ajay Faulstich; great-grandchildren, Alfonso Castillo-Trujillo, Sofia Castillo-Trujillo and Hector Martinez-Trujillo.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, stepbrothers, Berwin “Mac” (Frances) McDowell, George McDowell, Jr., Clyde Joseph McDowell, and stepsister Anna David.

Interment will take place at the Hawthorne Cemetery on Friday, October 25, 2024 (Nevada Day Observed) at 1:00 p.m. under the direction of Gunter’s Funeral Home and the Hawthorne Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 1704.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to the Ray Masayko Scholarship, Carson City Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 825, Carson City, Nevada 89702