Ray Larson

Memorial visitation for Ray E. Larson will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2021 1:00pm until time of Remembrances 3:00pm at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 1640 Greenmeadows Blvd. (at Barrington Rd.) Streamwood/Schaumburg. Cremation was private at the Countryside Crematory.

Ray attended Kelvyn Park High school, class of 1946 where he met his high school sweetheart, Jean Roberta Walker. They were married on July 1, 1950. He took her fishing for their honeymoon because he loved to fish. They were totally in love. They had three children: Craig, Linda and Keith. That love lasted for 54 years at which time Jean passed away. Ray graduated college with a BS degree in Civil Engineering.

Ray and Jean remained close to their high school friends throughout the years and they all held parties at their respective homes. At these parties dad loved to dance. Dad always brought an extra shirt along to these parties to change into after soaking his first shirt in sweat. Mom was never able to keep up with him on the dance floor and so he would dance with whichever lady was available at the parties.

Ray began his career as an architect building houses in the North Shore Chicago area. He later built high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago and he managed upgrades at Wrigley field. He became President of Anvan Construction building golf courses, renovated well known Chicago Hotels, converted Chicago’s Printer’s Row into stores with luxury apartments above and built the Geneva National Dog Track in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He also made upgrades to the Abbey, Interlochen and the Lake Long Lodge.

Ray led an active life and was involved in many activities and sports. In his early years he took up boxing as a featherweight. In all his matches he was never knocked out. In high school, he played football but due to an injury, he switched and lettered in swimming. Being an avid swimmer, he took up scuba diving and later became a certified instructor and President of a local scuba diving club. He loved diving on sunken boats and bringing up old bottles and other items of interest. Golfing was another sport he enjoyed with great passion. When he was in his 80's he would often golf with friends 10-20 years younger than him and would shoot in the low to mid 90's.

He was a true family man and included his children in his activities. He took up skiing and included the family. He took annual ski vacations out west, skiing in Aspen, Telluride, Lake Tahoe/Heavenly Valley and Squaw Valley. As a father of teenage sons, he was active in the Boy Scouts and went on many campouts.

Ray was also an avid animal lover supporting and donating to many organizations supporting wildlife as well as domesticated animals like dogs. He had a Bichon named Sugar and two different Maltese dogs named Pico and Tina.

At one time dad and mom used to own about a 25 ft long sailboat that they sailed on Lake Michigan. With that sailing experience mom and dad would rent a much larger sailboat and sail around in the Caribbean with another couple.

After his retirement, Ray and Jean bought a condo in Saint Petersburg, Florida where they became snowbirds. They picked a beautiful area with a view to the Gulf of Mexico as well as Boca Ciega bay.

After Jean passed away in 2004, he later met Pat Russi and they continued his love of dancing, socializing and having a good time.

Ray is the beloved husband of the late Jean Roberta (nee: Walker); loving father of Craig (Debra) Larson, Linda Andrews and Keith (Ginger) Larson; dear grandfather of Kristin Johnson, Michelle Fajardo, Mark Andrews, Adam Andrews, Jonathon Andrews, Courtney Kidder, step grandchildren Brad Marks, Nick Marks and Bethany Foster; fond great grandpa of Jacob Johnson and Grant Fajardo; caring son of the late Elmore G. and Effie C. Larson and brother of the late John Larson.