DORAM, Ray

DORAM The family of RAY CARL DORAM, are deeply saddened to announce his passing at Edith Cavell Care Centre, on Friday, February 9, 2024 at the age of 74 years.
Ray leaves behind his loving family: beloved wife Joy Doram; daughters: Tenille Doram, Mandi (Ryan) Parker, and Shannon (Quintin) Seitz; and four grandchildren: Gage & Owen Parker and Paige & Evan Seitz. He is also survived by his brother Frank Doram and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; sister Joan Arelis; and brothers: Norman, Melvin, Roy and Ken.
Born on June 29, 1949 in Lethbridge, Ray was the youngest son of Elenora Robinson and Joseph Doram. He grew up on the family farm near Stafford Lake and attended Readymade School and Kate Andrews High School. In high school, he did well at track and field and won many blue ribbons. As the youngest of the seven siblings, he travelled with his parents and was later able to go to Barbados and other tourist destinations as a young man. He enjoyed farming and gardening and had a great knowledge of flora, fauna and soil. As a mature student, he graduated from Lethbridge College and not surprisingly, he studied agriculture. At the college, he won the Louise McKinney Award. He taught agriculture at the Kainai Agricultural Center and worked at the Agriculture Agrifood Canada Research Center as a Crop Sciences technician for many years. Ray was a farmer at heart. He purchased four acres of land in the late 1990’s and together with Joy, created a very comfortable acreage that he was very proud of. The acreage housed three horses that his daughter, Tenille, and Joy were very passionate about.
When he was able, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and liked the summer rides into the mountains. He took his family camping and on a trek to EXPO 86 in Vancouver. A trip to California included Disney Land, Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm, with a quick stop in Vegas. Later, he was able to travel to Arizona, Kansas and Hawaii. He taught his daughters to drive and change the oil and tires. He was handy with his tools and built sheds, barns, playhouses, and could fix almost anything. He loved his dogs Penny, Rocky, Jessie and Cooper. He always talked about hiking the West Coast Trail. His grandkids enjoyed overnighters and he cooked a mean spaghetti sauce, chili, and stew. Grandpa Ray would tickle them to sleep and wake them up in the middle of the night to sneak pumpkin pie. Ray was nostalgic and loved to talk about the good ole days with his father-in-law Doug Oliver and kept a few mementos over time. Who doesn’t love a good 1940’s tractor? Musical favorites included Merle Haggard, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Charlie Pride but there was a time or two that C&C Music Factory disappeared from the girls’ CD player and made its way into his – Everybody Dance Now. Most important was his sense of humour – he was a jokester who was lighthearted and loved to laugh.
Ray was an incredibly generous, patient and kind man. He was always willing to help and lend a hand when needed and so often put others ahead of himself. He leaves a void in his family and will forever be missed. He made an impact, more than he ever could understand.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Colin Walsh and the staff at the Edith Cavell Care Center for their support during this difficult time
At Ray’s request, there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please plant something in your garden or flower bed for him.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com