Ray Casias

Ray Casias passed peacefully in his sleep at the Carl T. Hayden Veteran’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ on Jan. 20, 2012. He joins his beloved wife, Emma Salas Casias, in Heaven. Ray & Emma were married for 61 years when Emma passed away on Feb. 28, 2010. They married in Ogden, Utah in 1948 where they raised their family. They will be deeply missed by their children: Marian Casias-Innocenti, Karla Warmus & her husband Gerry Warmus, who was like a son to Ray; grandchildren, Ian Innocenti, Ariel Innocenti, & their father Mark Innocenti; & great-granddaughter, Gabriella Marie Salow. Ray is also survived by his loving brother and sister, Christino Casias of Layton, Utah & Ophelia Maestas of Ignacio, Colorado. Ray’s brother Lloyd Casias and sister, Helen Cruz precedes him in death.

Ray served his country in the Navy during WWII in the Pacific, retired from the Air Force as a civilian, & supported the Disabled American Veterans. In his senior life, Ray earned numerous awards & recognition for his volunteer service to the Washington Adult Center Volunteer Association & the Phoenix Parks, Recreation, & Library Department.

Ray was a loving & supportive son to his parents & parents-in-law. He was an inspiration to his brothers & sisters & their own children, & to Emma’s nieces & nephews. To his friends, Ray was sincere, honest, & “the best man I know”. To his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, Ray will always be a model of compassion, kindness, generosity, & great faith. As we remember Ray, we will smile & be thankful that we were part of his wonderful life.

The Memorial Mass is on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Parish in Awahtukee/Phoenix, AZ , with Rosary Service at 9:30 a.m. and service to follow at 10:00 a.m. A burial service will be at the Veteran’s National Cemetery in Phoenix at 2:30 p.m. The family extends profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses & staff of the Carl T. Hayden Veteran’s Hospital for their many years of compassionate support & care in providing Ray with hope, happiness & quality of life that he loved. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Disabled American Veterans, dav.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Valley of the Sun Funeral Home, Chandler, AZ.