Dear Jeff, So sorry to hear of your great loss. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Aside from all of the many great things your dad did throughout his life, he certainly left a great legacy through you and the honest and caring way you live your life. God bless you all. Paul Fischer

Dear Kathy & Family, We pray that happy memories fill your hearts and help to erase the sorrow. You know he is still with you and is in peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Laethem family. Our deepest condolences, The Cash family

I'm sorry for your loss. Ray will be missed by all who knew him both professionally and personally. We have had many great experiences together. Before working his way up the ladder at Causley Pontiac, Ray sold real estate for Short Realty. He didn't just wait in the office for clients to call. No, Ray went door to door throughout the Pointes, asking people how soon they planned to move to a different house. Times were difficult in the late 70's and early 80's, but Ray's desire to make the sale and be successful was evident even then.

Ray served six years in the Army Reserves that included two weeks each summer as an Infantry instructor at Fort Benning, Ft. Knox, or Ft. Polk. One of Ray's assignments was to teach new recruits the art of throwing live hand grenades. Following a bad throw or dropped grenade, Ray would pull the recruit to the ground under him, after insuring that the grenade fell safely into the trench. After performing this maneuver dozens of times, the only injuries were surprised and out of breath recruits. Of course Ray was a car salesman first. The days and weeks following each assignment would find many of the Army regulars showing up at the dealership to get their new Pontiac. He gave them deals so good that they would hitchhike to Detroit to buy their new car from Ray.

Second to selling cars, Ray loved to entertain. After working a full day at Causley, Ray would often stop at the Golden Lion Restaurant to accompany the piano player with a few of Ray's favorite Frank Sinatra tunes. Ray's ability and desire to entertain found him on the stage at graduation parties and weddings for family and friends. Ray achieved notoriety with his fellow GM Dealers by taking the stage to sing "This Lady is a Tramp" at one of the annual Dealer Conventions.

Ray took extreme pride in his business. The professional service he provided was and is accentuated by the appearance of his facility and staff. Ray insisted on crisp white shirts and ties, a spotless service facility and a pleasant, personal yet professional approach to each and every customer. Driving past Ray's dealership, you seldom see a burned out bulb in the thousands that light the sales lot. The salesmen are visible through the window with their white shirts and dark suits. The grass is always cut and trimmed. Those who have lived here a while, know that the grass in front of the dealership is always the first to turn green. Of course, Rays secret was to use green colored fertilizer.

We were saddened to hear of Ray's passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and the hope that time will heal the pain of your loss.

I have known Ray for over 50 years. We shared a lot of life's experiences and family activities. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you , and your family.

We are so sorry for your loss. We will be thinking and praying for your family during this difficult time.

I went to high school with Ray,he was a good guy then,I'm sure he carried that with him in his adult life.I'm very sorry for his family's loss

Ray and I were the same age.We started our own stores at the same time.I have missed him the last few years and will miss him in the future. Randy Hosler

Dear Kathy and Melissa...My deepest sympathy to all the family. Ray was a great guy.I was sorry to hear the sad news. love, Diane

OBITUARY

Ray Laethem

June 5, 1948 – May 17, 2010

A.H. Peters Funeral Home

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