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2 tree(s) planted in memory of Raymond Spottswood
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Pat (Swift) Civiletti planted a tree in memory of Raymond Spottswood
Sunday, August 20, 2023
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Searching information on Jack due to the Maui wildfire, I found this sad news. It sounds like Ray had a fulfilling life which he generously shared. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Laura Shodall uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, May 21, 2023
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We are better people for having known Ray......
My husband Michael Bailey and I have only known Ray a short number of years. We haven't grown up knowing each other through school, family or work, or raising kids or the decades it sometimes takes people to figure each other out.
We were neighbors since 2019, but had met a few years before that when we first bought our place right next to him. Right away Ray extended a helping hand (or tool...) to us. He was quick with a joke and a grin to go with, as that's always an ice-breaker, and a great way to gauge the fun level of the new people you're going to have to live next door to. We had some large shoes to fill as Ray really liked his friends/neighbors whose house we now occupied.
But Ray never made us feel uncomfortable as individuals, or the decisions we made. He was like that......just took us as we were and was always there to lend advice (or a tool....) because, well you know, we were from the forests in the California Pacific Northwest and had little clue about the ways of living in Lake Havasu or the desert in general. Ray could relate to us as he also had built his home in the woods as we had, and I'm sure took pity on us in the beginning.
Slowly over these last years, we saw a bit of a glimpse of who the man was. Besides being a motorcycle nut which we could also relate to, we witnessed his care-giving kindnesses toward many neighbors in need, as well as 'strays' he picked up along the way. Ray wasn't hesitant to put himself and his resources out there for someone he felt was worthy of a second chance or even a first chance. He valued hard work in a person, and I know he's probably helped more than a few rise up a little higher on the ladder.
Ray was also a very private guy, and it wasn't easy for him to allow others to be kind to him. It was sort of a one-way street in that regard, and he was a tough nut to crack. We always sensed that he wasn't as whole as he used to be....when he was married to Gloria; she was his true reason for doing everything he did in his adult life after he met her.
Although we already knew from our conversations with him during the last half of 2022 that something was wrong, we also knew Ray being that tough guy, would deal with his situation when he was good and ready. When he had to have help getting himself to and from the hospital to initially get some tests done, he hated to ask us, and we knew not to make it a big deal.
Ray fought his disease every step of the way down to the last couple of days, and always being in charge, had his plans for how he wanted things to go down after he was gone if the treatments didn't work. Always the realist, he knew if cancer didn't screw him, something else would in the end. So, Ray defaulted his focus to what he does best.....taking care of others.
Ray ended his life making decisions that would positively effect the people he loved......his family and some close friends. And for those qualities, Michael and I will always love Ray. We will dearly miss him because Ray had become our friend. Ray made other people's lives better for his kindnesses and we can only hope to be as giving as he was some day. Michael and I send our love to Ray's immediate family members, especially his daughter and our special friend Dee Dee (sorry if I spelled it wrong!), Ray's brother Jack (our very dear new friend), and Ray's daughters Renae & Becky who we have just had the pleasure of meeting several weeks ago.
As a post script, it has occurred to us that Ray's legacy of creating positive change & relationships has endured throughout his illness and his death, in bringing individuals together who otherwise would not have known each other. Here's to you, Ray.....a man we'll never forget!
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Gloria D Lazard uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, May 21, 2023
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Chimene Ferguson uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, May 13, 2023
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Q: How did you meet Raymond?
A: I first met Ray when I was taking care of his wife Gloria in an assisted living facility. Then I took care of her at their home till she passed. Loved that lady!! Ray and I became really great friends. We had so much fun. Boating, shooting and riding motorcycles on trails he made himself. He was a very kind soul. Very bright. Ray never stopped working , always something to build or fix! I loved his wild side. He was always there when I needed him. I am so thankful I had in in my life and grateful I was there for him in his end of life. I will think of him often and I will miss him forever. I love you my friend ❤️
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Gloria Lazard uploaded photo(s)
Friday, May 12, 2023
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Linda Pratt posted a condolence
Friday, May 12, 2023
One of the nicest fellows I have known. So sorry for your loss.
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Peter Putt uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 11, 2023
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Peter Putt posted a condolence
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Ramblin' with Ray
So many memories...
Meeting at American Realty in the late 70's, a pair of green real estate agents ready to take on the world. We door knocked a few neighborhoods as we developed 'our farm'. One Christmas season we were up in Whispering Pines in Santa outfits working both sides of the street. We had pillow cases full of little rubber duckies and chickens for the kids that Jack had gotten for us. We kept getting invited into homes for a 'quick' cocktail. It took us days to make that circuit!
I remember those early days, visiting Ray, Gloria and the kids at their homestead on Upper Zayante Road. There used to be a small shed like structure down by the gate with various sized boots for visitors that then had to slog up the muddy road to actually get to their trailer as it wasn't drivable for most of us. Ray usually managed in his 4wd Toyota pickup, but he was always a bit wild
The house building started with the usual trials and tribulations with contractors and Ray eventually kicked them out and finished it himself. I remember him building the upper deck and breaking his thumb, compound fracture that he described as 'chicken bones'. He never complained though.
Ray shared his earlier Hod carrying experiences with me, I don't know how he managed that job for as long as he did
We went sailing a number of times in the Caribbean, first time on the 'Leakin' Rican', an older wooden Island Trader 41' ketch. It was fun and adventurous seeing new places and learning new things. Ray and Gloria picked up sailing like fish in water that that started many adventures for them as the years went on
Then there was Amway and Pyramid schemes. Yeah, we tried it all. Our next Caribbean adventure we visited Peter Island in the BVI, some renouned vacation place for successful Amway distributers
No, Amway didn't last long...
One one of our charter sailing adventures Ray, as Captain of the ship married Kerry and I on the bow. (Halloween '83) Rice was thrown on board. Never do that on a sailboat, it will never all go away! Then we got dumped on the beach by Ray in the dingy, all of us in loin cloths.
We had to abandon a parted stern anchor at the Baths on Virgin Gorda one night. The line had parted (around a head of coral that was too deep for us to dive for) and we were almost on the beach. Gloria shouted 'Ray, Pete, on deck, hit the key!'. We immediately knew what had happened and managed to keep off the rocks and the beach, in the dead of night, with no running lights. Long story short me managed to motor around the reef protecting the Virgin Gorda Harbor and safely tied up at the dock
Ray and Gloria later went to Tonga on their own, dining with the King of the Republic so the story goes
Then they made the jump and bought Nashalla, their Nassau sailboat and headed to points South on their own with Becky. We followed their journey on a map pinned up in our dining room trying to live vicariously thru their adventures. Thru the Panama Canal, up into the Caribbean to Jamaica weathering a nasty storm with a broken tailbone. That musta hurt. Kerry and I met them all in St. Thomas along with Jenny our then 5 year old daughter and we started meandering southwest thru the islands. We had one overnight passage which we nicknamed 'Oh My Godda Passage' between Virgin Gorda and Anguilla. It's where the Caribbean and Atlantic come together, seas running in different directions with the trades against you. It was a rough night. Jenny later told us that she didn't like 'hard water'. Who can blame her? Anyway, at one point that night, the collapsible 5 gallon jug full of rum from Cane Garden Bay had rolled over and the pet cock opened. We did smell it right away and saved the rum! Very important fuel in the Caribbean. We ate monkey burgers (unbeknownst to us at the time) on St Kitts and golfed on Montserrat before the volcano trashed the island. It was beautiful. The crabs kept trying to steal the golf balls. We left them in Antigua and they continued on. It was only after their return to California that we learned of some of their other adventures including meeting a couple of live aboards on another yacht that had actually found and free dove / recovered that lost anchor at Virgin Gorda! Go figure, small world...
Life changed and Ray & Gloria moved to The Villages in Florida. We went for a visit for about a week and enjoyed the outdoor entertainment squares, eateries etc. This was in the early stages of Gloria's difficulties and Ray was ever attentive and always full of love, caring and compassion. It didn't matter what came along, Ray was always there for Gloria. He learned all there was to treating and prolonging her quality of life and did an amazing job. He loved her long after her passing and took that love along with him as he traveled on to be with her.
Rest now in Peace Dear Friend
You'll always be remembered and never forgotten
The world is a little emptier now
Our hearts bursting with your love
Peter
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Peter Putt posted a condolence
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Ray
You were larger than life!
Always ready to jump in to help anyone in need
Full of humor and ready for action at the drop of a hat
I know you're happily dancing again with Gloria
You waited a long time and now deserve the rewards
God Bless you Ray, I'll never forget...
You were one of my real friends
See you on the other side
Peter
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Kerry Putt posted a condolence
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Dearest Ray,
You were the kind of guy who would give the shirt off your back.
Your smile would light up a room.
Sailing with you and Gloria I will always hold dear to my heart with fond memories, like you marrying me and Peter for the first time.
I love the way you loved life and was always amazed on how many toys you had.
May you be blessed with the reunion of your beautiful partner in life, sweet Gloria.
We'll see you on the other side my friend...
Kerry
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Steve Robideaux uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
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Ray was always fun and full of life and a all around good guy, very
Generous, sometimes to a fault. He will be sorely missed by many.
I think my kids sumed it up well. They called him crazy grandpa
As in crazy fun! Now that I'm a grandpa I hope I can be the crazy grandpa Ray was.
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Maria McSperitt lit a candle
Sunday, May 7, 2023
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Ray was like a father, brother and friend all rolled into one for me. He helped me grow into the adult I am today. He will forever be a wonderful part of alot of my childhood memories. Love you Ray
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Janetta Valladao posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2023
I'll never forget the day we watched Pink Floyd's The Wall.. after school I think it was.. You will be missed...
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Jilian Lazard uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, May 7, 2023
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Q: What was Raymond really good at?
A: My Grandpa never failed to make me laugh. Any time I was in his presence, I felt safe and happy. Any time I visited grandpa, he made sure he was stocked up on chocolate milk and mac and cheese. Grandpa Ray always had a joke ready for any moment. If he wasn’t telling jokes, he had other ways of causing chaos. Grandpa loved his toys. From bicycles to boats, he had almost anything you could think of. He especially loved his motorcycles. He always looked very handsome. Grandpa Ray was a good looking and well put together man. I will always think of grandpa. Whenever I may face trouble, I think of grandpa and how strong of a person he was. He would never let anyone hurt him, but he also would never hurt anybody else. Grandpa always went for what he wanted and deserved and I will always remember that. Thank you, grandpa, for always being you.
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Gloria D Lazard uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, May 7, 2023
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Rest in peace in the heavens above where you have many loved ones waiting for your arrival. Mom will be there with open arms. Thank you for the wonderful life you provided for me. The memories are strong and will not to be forgotten- I was three when you became my stepdad. Starting off on Woosley Drive where we had a pool with colored lights. The poplar trees that lined the sidewalk. The field across the street. Sliding down the hills on cardboard. Our annual trip to Disneyland. I have fond memories and that was only the beginning. Then we moved up to the Santa Cruz mountains our first house on Bushnell Road. Then soon after we moved to 20 acres 3 miles down Zayante Road towards Felton where we lived without electricity, or a formal house for four years. Then the home was built. We were definitely roughing it but we got to ride motorcycles and have the freedom to scour the mountain, creeks, logging trails. Long trips to the store and long trips to school. Many family camping trips, and lots of water skiing. Don Pedro lake and Clear Creek were favorite places. There was not a day you did not have several motorcycles and a boat. You and mom, always traveling, sailing around the world on your own boat Nashalla,always living life to its fullest! Lots of redwoods, dogs , motorcycles, and music. That was our life. A life I loved , a unique and eventful childhood, wouldn’t change it. Thank you. Love you. See you not too far down the road. ❤️
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Joanne Foxxe posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Q: What will you miss most about Raymond?
A: I will miss my dear friend of over 35 years
We had great times together in the Los Gatos Mtns playing cards all night
Going to the sailboat in Emeryville.
Selling the house and visiting Lake Havasu for Ray and Gloria’s new home.
They visited us on Maui which was amazing and also so fun.
He was always so positive and now he is dancing with Gloria in heaven.
I will always hold a special place for him in my heart.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Raymond Spottswood
Thursday, May 4, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory - Lake Havasu City Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Raymond Grant Spottswood uploaded a photo
Thursday, May 4, 2023
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