Ray E. Darby Jr.

Ray was born in Albia, Iowa to Ray and Mildred, and upon her death, step mother Ida Mae helped in his upbringing. He enjoyed his childhood with his brother Bill, step siblings, Marge, Chuck, and many life long friends. Ray proudly served overseas in the Air Force during the Korean War and was later stationed at Mitchell Air Field on Long Island, NY. Here he met the love of his life, Leonora. They enjoyed their dates in the City, attending baseball games, broadway shows, movies at Radio City Music Hall and dancing at the Rainbow Room. They married in 1955 and settled in Des Moines, Iowa, where they welcomed their children, Ray, John, Jeff and Julie. While working nights at the post office, Ray studied at Drake University, earning degrees in Business and Economics. Enjoying the sense of community and Faith he experienced while attending church with Lee and the kids, Ray converted to Catholicism. He was baptized and received his 1st Holy Communion when his son Ray did. The family eventually made their way west in the 70’s, settling in San Diego, where they lived for over 50 years. An avid sports fan, Ray loved his Chargers and Padres, but also remained faithful to his childhood favorites, the Cleveland Indians and Iowa Hawkeyes. Retiring from Security Pacific Bank in 1995, Ray and Lee moved to Murrieta, CA. They enjoyed social events and trips with friends, renewed their marriage vows in New York and took a trip to Italy. Ever the family man, Ray was happy to watch his kids grow and thrive. He was thrilled when grandchildren Ray and Jennifer arrived and years later, great grandchildren Cristian, Paloma and Noemi. When Lee developed Alzheimer’s, they returned to San Diego to be closer to family, moving in to Grossmont Gardens Senior Living. Ray became her devoted caregiver until her death in 2019, after 65 years together. Afterwards, he settled into a routine that included leading weekly exercise classes, social events, canasta games and time with new friends. Ray loved life, learning and memorable experiences. He enjoyed discussing the news, current events, listening to broadway tunes/crooners, watching classic Hollywood movies, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, sporting events and current shows too. He met one of his idols, Walter Cronkite, at a ceremony honoring Korean War Vets, traveled to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight organization and more than anything just enjoyed visits with his family. He will be greatly missed, but we find solace in the fact that he and Lee are now reunited.