Raymond R. Dion, Jr. passed away at his home in Seabrook, Texas on April 3, 2020 after a heroic battle with cancer. He was born in Glendale, California on October 16, 1948.
Ray, or Rick as he is known by his family, lived a full and giving life. He touched everyone he met and left an imprint on them. He never met a stranger and never failed to make those he knew a better person.
He was an altar boy at Saint Anthony’s in San Gabriel, CA. He played Little League baseball, riding his bike to all the practices and games along with his younger brother Russ who was sent by his mom to make sure they went to baseball. At Mission High School band was a big part of his life. He played the trombone and eventually was the drum major. He also ran track. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and served in Vietnam. His specialty was in electronics, and he worked on F18 fighters in Da Nang. He was in the Air Force Reserves from 1972 to 1974. He was very proud of his service to his country.
Ray worked at many jobs during his life and learned skills from each job that he carried with him all through his life. His dad told him to learn everything he could because you never knew when you could use that knowledge, and that is exactly what he did. He was an avid golfer and loved all sports. Ray developed his love of racing after working with his dad at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the late 60s. Ray was a man who could do anything, and if he did not know how he would think through it and figure it out. He was an accomplished woodworker and was our DIY star. He had many passions in his life…watching movies with family, In-N-Out double doubles, racing motorcycles, and supporting the USC Trojans. He loved his family, but family was not defined by blood. He had many young people who looked up to him as an uncle and grandfather. He was a brother to so many and a dad to others. He always tried to be a mentor and help people be the best they could be. One of “his guys” shared this….”he taught me so much, made me work hard and definitely stayed on top of me to make sure I succeeded.”
Raymond is survived by his wife, Mickie McGee Dion; his children Stacey Dion (Corey Childers), Marnie Williams, and Scott Dion (Melissa); his siblings Debbie Dion, Russ Dion (Michele), Chuck Dion, and Keith Dion (Symantha); and his step mother Carolyn Dion. He is survived by five grandchildren Emma Dion, Paige Dion, Madelyn Dion-Childers, Cole Williams, and Quinn Williams. He is also survived by his “angel”, his mother-in-law Virginia McGee. Ray is survived by many nieces, nephews, brother and sisters in-law, cousins, aunts, uncles…and their children. He is loved deeply by all. He brought wisdom, happiness, warmth, and love to every life he touched.
He is preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Williamson, his father Raymond R. Dion, Sr. and his brother Kurt Dion.
“You will be with me, like a handprint on my heart.”
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