Ray Dean Leiker

Ray D. Leiker, born April 1, 1947 in Salina, Kansas to Seraphin (Jerry) and Helen Leiker, unexpectedly passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from a pulmonary embolism. He was predeceased by his parents and his niece, Amy Morse. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Virginia, daughter Amanda Leiker, granddaughters, Sara Lybarger (20) and Madison Lybarger (16), his sister, Janet Morse and husband Carl, and nephews Chris Morse and Mike Morse.

Ray grew up in Salina, KS where he met his future wife, Virginia (Gin) when he was 10 years old. Ray was the paperboy for the neighborhood where they both lived. After dating in high school and college, Ray and Gin married in 1969, and after graduating from Kansas State University where he was a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, moved to Houston in 1972 to pursue his dream of working in architecture. Ray’s entire career was spent in architecture, first with Caudill, Rowlett, and Scott, then as a principal with Bailey Architects and finally as a principal with Shepley Bulfinch. Of all the big projects Ray worked on, he was proudest of his work on the Awty School where he also served on the Board of Trustees for 13 years.

Ray was a member of the American Institute of Architects, President of the Houston Chapter in 2001, the Texas Society of Architects where he was Secretary, 2003 and Vice President, 2005, Houston Architecture Foundation, Secretary/Treasurer, 2004 and President, 2006, and the International Conference of Building Officials. Ray was NCARB Certified, a Registered Architect in TX and MD, and received the Promotion of International Award by the European Council of International Schools in 2004.

Ray’s generous heart was evident in his 30 years working with Rebuilding Together. At least twice a year you could find Ray gathering students from UH School of Architecture or from the Awty School along colleagues to support the less fortunate by painting or restoring parts of homes. The assignment was to paint the houses but Ray always went beyond what was required and would rebuild anything that was falling down, whether it was the porch or a wall.

In addition to a successful career in architecture, Ray had two other passions-sailing his beloved sailboat, Quark, and building beautiful furniture. His sailing buddies remember racing through blinding wind and rain to win a race or just missing a lightning strike coming home from Corpus. Upon his retirement in 2016 Ray built a workshop at the back of his property and spent most of his remaining time there, “making sawdust.” When not in the workshop you could find Ray traveling with Gin and the granddaughters nearly every summer, including the summer of 2019 for three weeks in Austria and Italy.

Ray was a mentor to many young architects where his wisdom, experience and encouragement to do the best work possible inspired many. He is remembered as “old school” because of his high standards for work. Many of his former colleagues have expressed that if they have a problem to solve at work they ask “what would Leiker do?” If concerned about the quality of the end product the standard is whether it would pass his inspection. Ray also was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. We always knew that when something broke around the house he could fix it. If he couldn’t fix it, likely whatever it was, could not be fixed. His gentle kindness and wisdom will be missed.

A visitation will be held 77024 on Monday, January 4, between 4 and 7 p.m. at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. A private burial we be held on Tuesday, January 5 at Forest Park Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Memorial City Hermann Hospital ICU staff for their kindness to Ray and the family. If you wish to remember Ray donations may be made in his name to St. Jude’s Hospital or any charity of your choice.