Raymond Leonard Macpherson

Raymond Leonard MacPherson
Age 77, Tacoma, WA

Ray MacPherson of Tacoma, Washington passed away on September 9, 2023, with his son Ian by his side.

Ray was born on February 22, 1946, in Seattle, WA to Francis (Mac) and Lorraine MacPherson. He was the oldest of four children.

Ray attended school in Port Orchard, graduating from South Kitsap High in 1964. Ray continued his education after high school attending Olympic College and then later in life completing Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer training.

Ray spent countless hours of his childhood riding his bicycle up and down the neighborhood street on Farragut Ave in Port Orchard, playing games with his siblings and the neighborhood kids. Ray would also take the foot ferry from Port Orchard to Bremerton to go to the YMCA to learn to swim. Later he used his swimming skills at Parkwood Community Pool in Port Orchard working as a lifeguard and teaching swimming lessons. Ray was also active in the Boy Scouts achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Each summer he vacationed with the family to the ocean and to his grandfather’s family farm in Eastern Washington playing and having fun with all his siblings and cousins.

Ray followed in his father’s footsteps and found a passion for working on radios and TVs in his spare time. Ray turned that passion into work in his early years, working at Truman Electric in Port Orchard. Ray then went on to serve his community of Port Orchard for over 30 years in various roles. He served as a dispatcher with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s department, a volunteer firefighter and finally retired from his last position as a Police Officer with the Port Orchard Police Department where he had obtained the rank of Detective. Ray then went on to his second career in the IT world, working for the City of Kent where he was recognized as employee of the year in 2005 and retired in 2011 after twelve years there. He was always happy to serve as the family’s personal IT guy.

After retiring for the second time Ray developed a love and talent for glass blowing. He learned the art of glassblowing and shared his love with his grandson Liam. Friday nights were spent together at the glass studio working on projects with their fellow weekend warriors. Ray and Liam’s glass pieces were shared with family and friends or sold in the studio’s showroom.

Ray enjoyed traveling and watching his son Ian compete in Rally car racing and his nephew Steve compete in Rally car, dirt bike and desert truck racing. Ray had the opportunity to go on the ultimate family vacation and traveled to Europe to watch Steve compete in the 2007 Dakar Rally, a memory that he reminisced about to his last days.

To say Ray was a lover of Starbucks coffee is an understatement. It was his daily routine to go to the local Starbucks just blocks from his condo in Tacoma. If you had the opportunity to go with Ray when he went, he would walk in the door and be greeted by his name – just like Norm on Cheers.

Ray enjoyed talking with people whether it be his neighbors, the cashier at Costco or family and friends. He enjoyed sharing his thoughts on various topics including what was happening at the condo, favorite TV shows to watch, IT techie talk or politics; whatever the subject Ray was glad to chat about it.

Ray is survived by his sons Cameron of Bremerton, Ian (Sharlene) of Silverdale; two grandchildren Liam and Frances, his siblings Susan LaRoza, Mary MacPherson, Gary MacPherson, and many nieces/nephews, great-nieces/nephews and great-great nieces/nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his father Francis (Mac) and Lorraine MacPherson and brother-in-law J.D. LaRoza.

Ray requested a “party” on his passing. A celebration of life will be held at McCormick Woods Clubhouse, 5155 McCormick Woods Drive in Port Orchard on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the American Lung Association.