Ray Gullett passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021 surrounded by his beloved family.
Ray was born on September 9, 1929 in Lickburg, KY, and was fiercely proud of his Kentucky heritage. At the age of 14 he left home to work for Frigidaire in Ohio. Ray then left his high school to enlist in the Army, and served our country during the Korean war, stationed in Germany. After fulfilling his commitment to the U.S. Military, Ray moved back to Kentucky where he held down a variety of jobs. It was during this time, while working as a taxi driver, that he met the love of his life, Joy. As luck would have it, Joy and her sister ended up in Ray’s cab one evening – he was smitten from the moment they met. Joy and Ray were married on July 2, 1951 and celebrated many years together before she preceded him in death in 2010. The couple had four children, Phillip, Rhonda, Michelle and Shawn.
In 1957, the Gullett’s moved their family to Michigan so that Ray could pursue a career as a pipefitter and welder. He was a proud member of UA Local 190 for over 60 years. One of Ray’s career highlights was the time he spent living in Valdez, AK, working on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. He retired from Boone & Darr but remained “on-call” for many years. Ray was admired and respected by all who had the pleasure of working with him.
Ray was exceptionally proud of his family, and took great pleasure in spending time with them. He always put family first. He was a gentle, soft-spoken man with an enormous heart, and the kindest spirit. Ray would often show up unannounced, just to sit a while and listen. He was adored and admired by so many. His quiet generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Ray is survived by his children, Phillip (Mary) Gullett, Rhonda (Kevin) O’Connor, Michelle (Steve) Pennington, Shawn (Dirk) Naylor; grandchildren, Stacie (Dwight) Jackson, Stephanie (Nick) Lyos, Thorne (Olivia) O’Connor, Mackenzie O’Connor, Alec (Stephanie) Pennington, Graham Pennington, Davis Pennington, Troy Naylor, Cole Naylor; six great grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.
Ray is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joy; parents, Prater and Lucy (nee Howes) Gullett; sister, Barbara (Bob) Hall; brother, Nelson Gullett; and great grandson, Bronson Lyos.
Services have taken place. Interment was at Union-Udell Cemetery, Ypsilanti Twp, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ray’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Humane Society of Huron Valley by mail to 3100 Cherry Hill Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
