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SERVICE INFORMATION FOR
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Raymond A Kaligian III
Visitation: Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Yurs Funeral Home Geneva Service: Thursday, February 28th, 2013 at 11:00 am at Yurs Funeral Home Geneva Burial Location: Private |
OBITUARY
Raymond Allen Kaligian III, 28, of Houston, Texas and formerly from Raynham, Massachusetts and Geneva, Illinois died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 17th. His little dog, Willie, died at the same time by his side.Ray started his life in Massachusetts where at a young age he had already won a golf chipping contest and was MVP of his baseball team. He moved to Geneva, Illinois in the 3rd grade and attended Geneva Schools graduating in 2003 from Geneva High School.
He was a gifted athlete and leader and scholar. He played travel baseball with the Fox Valley Royals until freshman year when he started playing for Geneva High School. He also played all 4 years on the golf team. He was All Conference Golf Champion 2002 and All Conference Baseball his junior and senior years. He was also a National Honor Society member and Key Club Member and Secretary. He received the honor of Science Student of the Year and Athlete of the Year at the end of his senior year. The City of Geneva awarded Ray the Ben Franklin Science Award in a special ceremony held at the Geneva City Hall upon his high school graduation.
Ray went to the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was very proud to be an Alumnus of University of Illinois but his heart and soul was found in the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. He finally had “brothers” for life to confide in, play with and dream about their futures together. He was also a proud member of the professional chemical fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma.
He was hired in January 2008 by the Phillips 66 Company straight from the University of Illinois to participate in their Selective Leader Development Program. During this program, Ray fulfilled multiple roles at the Phillips 66 headquarters in Houston and then completed a field sales assignment in West Virginia. He was recently promoted during the summer of 2012 to become Director of Base Oil Sales located in Houston, Texas. In this role Ray was the key liaison with global suppliers that Phillips 66 conducted business with.
Jim Gigante of Phillips 66 wrote, “I don’t ever recall a young man that has touched the hearts of so many. I will always see that gleam in his eye, that ever yearning to learn and somehow there was a bit of innocence that set him apart from others. He was a rising star of Phillips 66.”
Ray’s first love was baseball, but it was his golf game that set him apart from others. He travelled with his father to Myrtle Beach for their annual “guy’s golf week.” He had become a scratch golfer and was used by friends, business associates and his father’s friends as their secret weapon to win golf tournaments. Last summer he won 3 tournaments in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Ray’s creative talents and his determination to always be the best at whatever he tried to do led him to master the guitar. He loved classic rock and his guitar interpretations were special.
In the last couple of years, Ray’s passion for adventure and joy for excitement expanded to include mountain biking and white water river rafting with his close college buddies. He also had started travelling for enjoyment having spent a great time in Ireland last year with his good friend Jeff Shaw. He had plans to travel to Germany this fall to participate in Oktoberfest.
Everyone and anyone who knew Ray loved and respected him. He was the best loyal friend you could have. He was the greatest gift every day of his life to his parents, friends and family.
Ray was the beloved only child of Ray and Bobbie (Barron) Kaligian. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Thomas and Barbara Barron, his uncle Bill Kaligian and his childhood dog and companion Patrick.
He is survived by his grandmother Carmela Principe of Abington, Massachusetts, grandfather Ray (Ann) Kaligian of Laconia, New Hampshire, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in Texas, West Virginia, Illinois, and Massachusetts and the family dog Fenway.
Visitation will be Monday, February 25th 4-8:00 PM, with a service at 7 PM in Houston, Texas at Earthman Funeral Directors – 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, February 28th at 11:00 AM at the Yurs Funeral Home 1771 W State St. (Rte 38) Geneva, IL. A Memorial Visitation will be Wednesday, from 4-8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will also be held Saturday, March 2nd at 12:00 PM at the Chapel of Our Savior Shrine, 475 Westgate Dr, Brockton, Massachusetts, with a luncheon immediately following at Thorny Lea Golf Club, 159 Torrey St. Contributions may be made in Ray’s name to his favorite charity Rebuilding Together Houston, P.O. Box 15315 Houston, TX 77220 or to Willie’s animal shelter: Houston SPCA 900 Portway Dr., Houston TX 77024. For more information or to leave an online condolence please call 630-232-7337 or visit www.yursfuneralhomes.com
CONDOLENCES
"Dearest Bobbie,
Know that I was deeply touched by your son's story in the KC Chronicle. My prayers and thoughts are with you always.
Violet & Elena
(Curves of Geneva)
"
"Ray was a splednid young man and a pleasure to work with. Our throughts and prayers are with him and his family."
" I take great pleasure in saying that I had the opportunity to get to know and work with Ray while he was located in Charleston.He was part of our Working Family. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. "
"My deepest condolences, I will pray for you!"
"My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of loss."
"I was so sad to read this morning about the accident with Ray. As the youth minister at St. Peter in Geneva, I knew right away who he was -- I remember Ray as he prepared for Confirmation. I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss and will keep you in my prayers. "
"Ray and Bobbie:
Our deepest condolences. Our prayers are with you and the rest of your family.
On a personal note, time will
heal your pain. Keep the memories always with you.
"
"Ray - I cannot find words to properly express how badly I feel for you and your wife at this incredibly sad time. What an impressive write up of your son - you must be so very proud. Reading it I'm reminded of you back in the day playing baseball so well. My heart aches for you - please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Looking at his photo, I see your brother Billie in him.
Peace my friend!
"
"I was so blessed to have known Ray and the opportunity to have coached him in baseball. What a great young man."
"We were blessed to know and love Raymie for 28 years. He loved life, his family and friends. He was the star that just keep shining brighter & brighter. We love you Raymie, Bobbie & Ray
The Reebe Family"
"Dear Ray & Bobbie - our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Ray III's zest for life and his accomplishments will be remembered -"
"Bobbie & Ray...this is so far removed from 1974...our hearts are broken. He was such a great kid and young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both.
"God doesn't look at how much we do but with how much love we do it." Mother Teresa
"
"Bobbie, too many years since we were in touch, so sad at this reason for sending you and Ray our prayers. We lost our son almost 7 yrs. ago, so for once I must state that I know exactly what you're going through. debra.welch@comcast.net"
"
Dear Bobbie and Ray, your son, Ray, sounds like one awesome young man - you should be very proud of yourselves. I read about his life, interests and accomplishments and couldn't help but think how blessed you were to have him as your son. Always remember how much he must have loved you both. Just try to think of him now playing with Willie and smiling. My prayers will be constantly with you.
Courtney Guenther's Mom, Carol"
"Our deepest condolence to you & Ray. Mar & Emy
your neighbors. "
"Dear Bobbie and Ray,
Our family has so many fond memories of you and "Little Ray" from baseball. Our hearts go out to you both in this time of sorrow. We will always remember Ray as the sweet and intelligent young man having fun on the baseball field as his very loving parents looked. We are so sorry for your loss.
With heartfelt regards,
Darlie, Keith, Brent, and Andrew Simerson"