He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Nan; his sister Jan Andres and husband Tom; his son Jeff, wife Kelly and grandchildren Lauren and Matthew; his daughter Jennifer VanDuzer, husband John and grandchildren Cameron, Brenden and Ashton.
Ray was born in Dover, New Hampshire. Education and teaching were his true passions. Ray received his Bachelor’s of Science from the University of New Hampshire, a Master’s of Science in Organic Chemistry and MBA from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Harvard. He began as a high school Chemistry teacher in New York and eventually embarked on a 31 year career with Exxon Chemical across the country that brought him to Texas in 1981.
In 2001, Ray retired from Exxon and launched Lubrication Training and Consulting (LTC), becoming the worldwide expert in test preparation for the Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) designation. He truly loved the classroom and took pride in his students, who enjoyed the highest passing rate for this certification.
He also was a loyal supporter of his children at their numerous USA swimming meets where he was frequently seen on the pool deck officiating. He served as the longest tenured starter for the Texas High School State Swimming Championships at 21 consecutive years.
Despite Ray’s diagnosis with ALS in 2015, he remained dedicated to his family and friends while continuing his involvement in LTC.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 10th of January at Brookside Funeral Home-Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway.
A memorial service celebrating Ray’s life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 11th of January, in the chapel at Brookside Funeral Home-Champions, .
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Klein Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Devotion Hospice and Ray’s special caregiving friends, Burnell Russell and Toby Higginbotham. In lieu of flowers, please direct your donations to the ALS Association or the charity of your choice.
9/18/17 Tribute to Ray at Schaeffer’s CLS Class 1. To recognize Ray Thibault as simply a CLS trainer is to way under appreciate his contribution both to CLS training and the lubrication industry as a whole. 2. Ray started training classes for Schaeffer in 2004. Steve Brewer and Ken Kizer led the charge to sell Ray Thibault to Schaeffer and our sales reps. They convinced us that CLS was important to the professional development of our sales reps and that Ray was the right guy to teach them. 3. Today, we have over 50 CLS reps and a large percentage of them are Top Producers. 4. In honor of Ray Thibault's contribution to Schaeffer and the entire lubrication industry, we presented Ray with a plaque honoring his accomplishment. In addition, we also awarded him a $1000 VISA gift card so his wife, Nan, could share in his accomplishment. 5. Well done, Ray! You and Nan are really part of the Schaeffer family. On behalf of Ken Kizer & 500+ Schaeffer Reps Jay Schaeffer Shields, CLS, CEO
I worked with Ray at XOM many years ago. We left about the same time. Over the years, we touched base and even ran into each other at various events. Ray had a rare ability to connect with people at any level and convey his knowledge and passion. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Ray was a truly gifted teacher and leader in the industry.
My privilege was to get to know Ray over the last 15 years. He was truly a gentleman and as he did with myself He helped many many LUBRICATION industry acolytes improve our knowledge and achieve accreditation. Unknown numbers of companies have received benefit by his passion and interest and raining. Some of my most important references were training works he and I collaborated on. God’s speed Ray.
Nan, I am so sorry for your loss. But I am so glad that Ray is not suffering anymore. He is free of that horrendous disease and is home with God. Thinking of you and praying for you. Love, Barbara
I was heartbroken when I saw this. I was a student of Ray in a CLS class at Lubrication Engineers. His love of Lubrication has been an inspiration in my journey. Ray has left a legacy that will last a lifetime.
Ray was an usher in 1964 at our wedding. Raymond Locatelli and Leslie Smith. He was a long time friend of my husband. I last spoke to him after Raymond passed away. We were all New Hampshire people and now we call Texas our home. I am so sorry to hear of his diagnosis and his passing. My true sympathy. Leslie Locatelli
Growing up swimming, and with Jenny as one of my oldest and best friends in high school ... there are very few swim meets I can remember that you were not part of.. as well of any night at the house with her that you were not there. Rest in peace Mr. Thibault. We were blessed to have known you.
It is with a sad heart I heard about Ray's passing. We have lost a great teacher and a gentleman. Ray's teachings helped me to get where I am today and thinking back about Ray in front of the class, always driven to bring the best out of his students, fills me with gratitude. Ray may you rest in peace. My sincere condolences to the Thibault family and friends. Peter Harteveld
My condolences to Ray's family. He was a tremendous man full of knowledge. It was a pleasure to have known Ray, in my many years at STLE. He has left a great legacy for teaching, humour and his knowledge.
Ray helped me pass my CLS in St Louis. I appreciated his way of teaching, knowledge, and patience with me. Because of his time and dedication I am a better person for it, my world is a better place, and many others have benefited from that which he taught. My condolences, prayers, and wishes of peace for all of your family. With gratitude, Ty Allan Schaeffer Sales Rep. Draper, UT
I work for Schaeffer Oil and received my CLS certification after attending Ray's training class on my first attempt. That was the first time I had met Ray but had heard many stories about him in the years prior from other coworkers. His knowledge of tribology and all things chemistry was impressive and very apparent without coming across as a "know it all" even though he probably did :) He obviously had a gift for teaching and it showed during our intense, week long class. The success rate of his students was second to none and his track record at Schaeffers was even better. I took the class about 1 1/2 years ago and Ray was obviously having some health issues during the training class but he loved what he did and through strong will would push through to get the job done which he loved so much. I feel very fortunate to have met and got to know him. I feel even more fortunate to have been one of his students. Many thanks to Ray and condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed by many.
This is just a note to family letting you know what a sweet man Ray was. I took his CLS training class and he was a fabulous teacher in every way; confident, capable, compassionate and caring that his students understand all he shared. I enjoyed following his teaching through STLE materials. When a man travels as much as Ray must have it can be hard on family. Thank you sharing him with us, his students! This man will be missed by many. Blessings to the entire Thibault Clan. barry arvold
In the early 2000s I took Ray’s CLS class. We remained in touch. Many many years later Ray advised and convinced me to get into training... Torch passed. Per your direction, I will go beyond and also do the other things you suggested. Michael D. Holloway 5th Order Industry.
Ray- from the first time we met in 1952 when your Somersworth LL All-Stars beat my Exeter All-Stars 4-1 until four weeks ago when we visited you for four days you have been a true and loyal friend. I will miss you, the trips we took together, the Super Bowls we watched together, the cruises and the trips. My fondest memory was about 15 months ago when we and are wives visited Cooperstown. You and I spent an amazing day at the Baseball Hall of Fame exploring every inch and reminiscing about the recent glory and long forgotten curse of sour beloved Red Sox. Although you later switched loyalties to your Astros, I still enjoyed our weekly marathon talks about the merits of Boston teams vs. Houston teams. Your last year’s were tough ones but you fought the good fight and despite your loss here on earth I am sure that you are looking down on us from a better place. Best Always, Bucky
Ray was a great trainer and a good friend. He started training Schaeffer sales reps to become Certified Lubrication Specialists (CLS) in 2004. Thanks to Ray and his partner, Ken Kizer, Schaeffer has over 50 reps with CLS certification. Ray was truly part of the Schaeffer family. Blessings to Nan and the family. We will miss him!
Ray was a man of class and kindness for whom I had great respect. God's blessings to your family.
From the first time I meet Ray in Miami Florida for my CLS class. He was always interesting to sit down and visit with because in the lubrication field that I work in he was a wealth of knowledge. He taught me it is not always about selling the lubricant it is about helping the customer solve a problem and all things will fall into Place. Thoughts and Prayers to Ray's Family He is in a better place. And may the Lord Comfort You
A number of years ago Ken gave Ray and I a ride back to the airport at St. Louis just after they had finished the CLS class I had enrolled in. Like many who have written the exam I was not 100% sure I had passed. I asked them what certification I should consider next, that is if I had passed this one. They replied in unison “you passed”! Of course they didn’t have the results yet, but such was Ray’s confidence that he pretty much knew. Not only was he able to teach well enough to see students through the passing of exams but he had that rare ability to instill a sense of confidence that we could actually regularly use in our professions much of what he taught. Many of us students at least in part owe the advancement of our careers to Ray. Thank you Ray! May your family find peace even though you are gone and realize the huge affect you had on everyone you knew and taught. Mark Olson CLS.
Ray was a man full of the joy of life. He especially took pleasure recounting the exploits of his beloved Astros, especially when he came to visit and teach in St Louis. What a man of class and intellect. It was a pleasure to know, work with and be trained by Ray. The Schaeffer family will miss him.
I did not know Ray, but at Schaeffer's we are all family. I will keep everyone in my prayers. I will pray for peace and understanding for all. My deepest sympathies. Don Sullivan Sales Rep #4486
Ray was a very important part to our education and as a wonderful human being! Very sorry for your loss. I too was educated in New England ( Worcester Mass) so we chewed some of the same dirt... he just got it done sooner than I. God speed my friend , get the gears lubed for us! Chris
What a great guy! We got to know Ray through swimming as our kids swam on TWST. He was a great friend to both of us through those swimming years 1981-1995. Unfortunately for us, we had lost contact for most of the last 20+ years as we all traveled different paths, but the memories of Ray’s friendship will always be with us. Again, a truly great guy and friend. Our sincere condolence to the family.
Thank you Ray for sharing your experiences and knowledge in lubrication and tribology. You will be missed by the STLE and CLS community. My deepest condolences to your family and loved ones.
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