Thomas Ray

RAY
Thomas B.
May 2, 1935 - October 4, 2016
3M Manager
Tom was preceded in death by parents, Harvard C. and Catherine W. Ray; son, Todd David; sister, Rosemary Wirth; brothers-in-law, Travis Wirth and Eric Peterson. Survived by loving wife, Joan; son, Thomas (Michelle); daughters, Cynthia (Thomas) Etter and Suzanne (Paul) Hornby; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Peterson; brothers, Peter (Martha) and Steven (Patty). A proud Eastsider most of his life, Tom graduated from the "old" Johnson High where he met his lifelong sweetheart, Joan. Married in 1955, they enjoyed over 61 years of life together. Tom attended the University of Minnesota, started a career at Montgomery Wards in their Management Program. He then moved to 3M where he spent 35 years mostly in the advertising and marketing area. His duties called for extensive travel both domestic and international. Taking early retirement in 1997 from a position in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tom and Joan returned to the St. Paul area settling in Oakdale. Their love of travel took them to most of the 50 states and over 40 foreign countries. Memorial service Tuesday, October 11, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at ST.ANDREW'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. Family will receive friends following the service. No flowers please. Memorials are preferred to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Resource Center, American Kidney Foundation or donor's choice.