Monterey

Although a true son of Monterey, Ray was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky where his father, Yukio, and mother, Mariko, were stationed with the Army amidst World War II. Shortly after his birth, with Yukio deployed to the European theater with the highly decorated 442 Regimental Combat Team, Mariko and Ray moved to the Poston Internment Camp in Arizona where they joined family and community members forcibly relocated from their homes along the West Coast. Despite the extreme conditions of his early life, Ray's energy and happiness led his maternal grandmother to call him "Rainbow." Indeed, Ray added color and richness to every relationship and each aspect of his life. Ray's booming and effervescent laughter, wide and easy smile, and genuine and charismatic manner were his trademarks, alongside his indominable work ethic, sense of duty and loyalty, and passionate nature.

Once his family settled back in Monterey, Ray would spend the rest of his life on the peninsula. In his youth, he was a junior champion dog handler, enjoying great success showing Irish and English Setters and was never without a canine companion. His dogs were absolutely central to his daily routine and without fail, he could be found in the predawn hours each morning walking them along Carmel Beach. His love for animals was not limited to dogs, however, and it was through horses that he met his devoted wife of 53-years, Elizabeth (Betsi). Fresh off his tenure at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied ornamental horticulture, Ray was looking for a new hobby and made his way to Sue Sally Hale's Rancho Point Lobos stables. There, he ran into Betsi and together they learned the sport of polo and developed a bond that led to their marriage in 1971. The two continued to ride and own horses until their family grew to include their daughters, Erin and Carli.

In fatherhood, Ray was active; he introduced his daughters to snow and water skiing, coached them in softball, taught them how to play dominoes, backgammon, and poker, and imparted his values of hard work, respect for family, and the importance of developing and maintaining connection with others. He was generous and supportive, though never gave false compliments. To receive commendation from him was to know it was sincere and well earned. Upon becoming a grandfather, Ray's capacity for love and pride reached new levels.

Where he was unable or unwilling to brag about himself, he would freely and joyfully share about the accomplishments, large or small, of his four grandchildren, Alec, Ella, John, and Noah.

Ray was a lifelong and avid athlete, channeling a competitive spirit into both team and individual sports, and providing a beautiful example of the vital role physical activity plays across all chapters of life. Through sports he developed some of his most enduring friendships, whether on the tennis or racquetball court, on the road training for a marathon, or on the field coaching softball.

Ray's athletic mindset, his love of the grind, served him and others in his circle well.

Ray dedicated his professional life to landscape contracting and design, operating out of Cypress Garden Nursery, a Monterey institution for more than fifty years.

He became a licensed landscape contractor and California Certified Nurseryman and went on to lead the local chapters of both the California Nurserymen's and Landscape Contractors' Associations as president. Over the decades, Ray's reputation as skilled, honest, dependable, and knowledgeable contractor led to many notable projects and to meaningful relationships within the community. Equally important to him were the deep connections he made with his crew over the years who he loved and appreciated as family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those inclined to make a donation to Animal Friends Rescue Project of Pacific Grove or to an organization of the donor's choice. A celebration of life is planned for late Spring 2025.