Obituary of Ray Edward Donley

     Ray Edward Donley Sr. passed away on August 2^nd, 2022, at his home in Placerville, CA, surrounded by family. He was 76 years old.

     Born in Newburyport, MA, on November 26^th, 1945, to parents, Raymond H. Donley, and Marion E. (Bennett) Donley. Ray was the second of four children. As a child Ray grew up living in Amesbury, MA, on California Street. He attended and graduated from Amesbury High School in 1964. Ray played basketball and football while attending high school. He took drama and was in the school play. He was known for being one of the best dancers and was liked by everyone.

     After high school Ray joined the United States Navy in September 1964. He wanted to travel and get an education. He attended bootcamp in Chicago, IL, and in 1965 he attended the Nuclear Power Training School (Equivalent to 2 years of college) in Bainbridge, MD. In 1966 he was stationed on the USS Lake Champlain. In 1967 he went to the USS Neches (AO47). He rose to the rank of Machinist Mate 1^st Class – E6. He ran the engine room with twenty men under him. In 1970 he went to the USS Bainbridge and then to the nuclear-powered ship the USS Long Beach and was stationed in Vallejo, CA. Ray served seven and a half years in the United States Navy, four of which were in Vietnam.

     In 1970 Ray met Carol (Bartel) Donley and they were married on August 1^st, 1970, in Redwood City, CA, and then settled in California. While in the Navy Ray received schooling for air conditioning and refrigeration. Ray resigned from the Navy on December 11^th, 1971, with an Honorable Discharge for his service.

     After his time in the Navy Ray went to work for a company LEFCO INC. Heating and Air Conditioning in Sunnyvale, CA. From 1971 until 2001 Ray worked as a Journeyman Pipefitter and Service Technician. He retired in June 2001.

     Ray and Carol moved from Menlo Park, CA, to Pollock Pines, CA, in 2003 where Ray went back to work for D.S.T in El Dorado Hills, CA, in December 2003. He became a permanent employee in February 2004 and became a Senior Materials Operator until he retired again in 2018.

     Throughout the years raising children Ray was involved in Little League Baseball as a coach and on the Board of Directors from 1971 to 1994 and the Senior League from 1989 to 1990. Ray himself played softball with LEFCO INC. as a pitcher and later on with a recreational team the “Regular Joes,” as a pitcher. He also played as a pitcher with his sons Ray Jr. and Ryan on an adult softball team called “Triple Threat.”

     Ray was also a Cub Scout Master from 1985 to 1987 and a Boy Scout Master from 1988 to 1991 in the Boy Scouts of America. Ray loved playing horseshoes and was a member of the Horseshoe Club in Pollock Pines from 2003 to 2010.

     Ray and Carol moved from Pollock Pines in December 2010 to Cameron Park, CA, until they moved to Placerville, CA, in January 2017 to their current home. Ray and Carol celebrated 52 years of marriage there on August 1^st, 2022. They had five children and nine grandchildren.

     Ray liked to travel, fish, play games with family, dance, go on cruises, and just spend quality time with family and friends.

     Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years Carol (Bartel) Donley, sons, Garret J. Farmer, and wife Laurence (Pasqui) Farmer, of Montagney, France, Ray E. Donley Jr., and wife Michele (Clary) Donley, of Oakley, CA, Ryan P. Donley of Placerville, CA, daughters, Shannon C. Donley of Placerville, CA, Shawna M. Donley-Plate and husband Gregory Plate of Oakley, CA.

     He is also survived by his grandchildren, Audrey L. Farmer, Olivia C. Farmer, and James H. Farmer of Montagney, France, Ray E. Donley III of Fremont, CA, Branden D. Donley of Oakley, CA, their mother, (Kristal R. Dijos-Donley of Fremont, CA), Hayley S. Donley-Ahlvin and her father, (Christopher Ahlvin of San Mateo, CA), Jazzmine R. Donley, Ryan M. Donley of Placerville, CA. Simone S. Donley and her mother, (Brianna L. Corbett of Rancho Cordova, CA). Ray is survived by his sisters Gertrude R. (Donley) McCurry, Joyce A. Donley, both of Boone, NC, brother, Herbert P. Donley of Placerville, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

      A Graveside Service will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Friday, October 7^th, 2022, at 2:15 PM where Military Honors for Ray’s years of dedicated service will be rendered. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 8^th, 2022, at 3:00 PM at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Plate. Details are listed below.

     Flowers may be sent to the addresses below or in lieu of flowers you may donate to the COPD Foundation in honor of Ray Donley.