Norman Larry Ray, 78, of St. George, Utah passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on May 23, 2024. Larry was born on December 11, 1945, in Hamilton Montana to Norman Curtis Ray and Birdie Mae Langley.

Larry loved his Montana heritage, sharing many wonderful stories of his childhood. He lived in Montana until his late teens when he joined the Army. The Army was where he was able to use his mechanical skills and explore his interest in aviation. As a young adult he spent several years in California where he thoroughly enjoyed his time by the ocean surfing, racing his Triumph and spending time with his brother’s family. Around 1970 he moved to Utah where he met LaDaun Olivia Rosquist. Together they had 5 children and were sealed in the Manti temple in 1985.  They later divorced.

He was a truck driver most of his life but was always an entrepreneur, leading him to own several businesses over the years. He was a salesman at heart, always looking for things to buy and sell.   His love for picking and antiques kept him active in the last years of his life and brought him so much joy. From his deal of the century to the friends he made, he genuinely loved it. There was something about him that seemed to attract lost souls, he always saw the best in people even when sometimes we thought he shouldn’t.  If you knew him you were considered his friend and chances are, you bought or sold something through him over the years.

The pride he had in his children was known to everyone that knew him. We would meet people that we never had met before, and they knew exactly who we were just by him sharing stories of us with them. He expressed his love by working hard to provide for his family and staying happy even through the worst of circumstances.

The last few months of his life were some of the happiest times he ever had. He looked forward to each day to see which one of his family members he would be spending it with, and he would be as ready as possible for the day’s adventure. He will be missed dearly and can rest easy knowing his legacy lives on in the family he has left behind.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Shannon Ray-Harris (Mark Harris), Chris Ray (Lisa Ray), JJ Ray (Megan Ray), Wally Ray (Danielle Ray), Justin Ray (Ann Ray), his sister Darlene Hillin (Dave Hillin), sister Linda Burrington, sister Cindy Stretch. He is also loved and survived by his 19 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.