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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
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 16, 2020
Mark Gensey
Remembering
March 31, 2013
Pattie Cedrone
Bobbie and family. I am so very sorry; my thoughts are with you -- actually, I just do not know what to say. My heart aches for you and family. Pattie Cedrone
March 12, 2013
Johnathan Cruz
We are deeply sadden to hear of Ray&Willie's recent passing. I'm a manager at a dogdaycre in Hou.Tx where we had the fine pleasure of meeting Mr. Kaligian and taking care of Willie. Our thoughts and payers are with you and your family
-Jackson's Place
March 6, 2013
Tammy Tinder
Dear Kaligian Family,
I wanted you to know that your son was admired very much by his peers at P66. He was always friendly and with a smile. I saw Ray two weeks before his passing and as always, he was happy and confident. We are very saddened by his passing. Thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time.
March 1, 2013
Bill & Marcie Carlson
Ray & Bobbie,
Our hearts ache for you at this time of great sorrow. Please know that you are in our thought and prayers. We have fond memories of Ray from the Geneva High School baseball days. May God bless you and comfort you always.
Sincerely,
Bill & Marcie Carlson
March 1, 2013
David McDonald
I cannot imagine how hard it is at this time for you both and I know how proud you were of Ray. We will keep you in our prayers.
February 28, 2013
Tim Kellick
Thinking of you at this time of sorrow.
February 28, 2013
Tim Corbet
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
February 28, 2013
Carey Widder
Our deepest sympathy.
February 27, 2013
Bob Alves
Mr and Mrs Kaligian. My sincere condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers...always. Bob Alves
February 27, 2013
Erin Dargis
I can't remember a time where Ray did not have a smile on his face that expressed his true love for life and others. I know we have lost touch since high school, but you will forever be in my heart. Thanks for your kind spirit, Ray. You will truly be missed.
Erin Dargis
February 27, 2013
Christina Thayer-Marmitt
Ray was an amazing, talented and kind hearted person. I have many fond memories of Ray from high school through our return trips home from college and beyond. I am so sorry for your loss and will be thinking of your family and the many others whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.
February 25, 2013
Bob Lange
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Kaligian Family on the loss of an outstanding son and person. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Lange Family.
February 25, 2013
Mr. & Mrs. Kaligian,
I am so sorry to hear about Ray. He was a very nice young man and excellent golfer. I enjoyed our business relationship, friendship, and will miss him. God has a special place for Ray in Heaven. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Steve Faggard
February 25, 2013
Tony Paterno
Ray you will be missed dearly. Thoughts and prayers to all your family.
February 24, 2013
Joan Czarnowski-Hill
Dear Bobbie and family:
I can't even imagine how you make sense of this. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Raymond, even though I didn't know him sounded like quite a young man. I can only pray that you are able to make peace with this and remember his life and how he touched you.
Warm regard,
Joan Czarnowski-Hill
February 24, 2013
Tami Wark
My nephew, my Godson. I have no words. I love you. I'm sure Uncle Bill will be shocked to see you but I know, for a fact, he will embrace you and never leave your side. I know you will watch over your cousin Jared when you can. He loves you so much and thinks you're the greatest thing ever and remembers and still plays the songs on the guitar that you taught him, especially, "Beat It". Rayme, I love you. Auntie Tami
February 24, 2013
Downing Family
Life can never prepare us for the loss of a child as a parent it is our worst fear. May you find the love, peace, and strengh of family and friends in this time of great sorrow. Ray will be remembered with great love and respect.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 24, 2013
J K
My family & I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family & friends of Raymond. He touched many lives, and is greatly missed. May the God of all comfort be with you all during this time of grief. (1 Cor 15:26) So sorry for your loss.
February 24, 2013
The Family of J. Artis
Dear Family and Friends of Ray and Willie,
“'May the day soon come when you are so preoccupied with the blessings of Our Father that you won't recall the sorrow of today.”' (Ecclesiastes 5:20, paraphrased)
Our sincerest condolences,
February 23, 2013
Matt Gossman
Ray, thank you for being so kind to a freshman Geneva High School golfer like myself, you will be missed.
February 23, 2013
Stephanie Poulos
Ray, you were way to young to leave this Earth so soon. I know we were not the best of friends in high school, but I was so deeply saddened when I heard about your passing. One thing I will never forget was much much you loved golf and baseball and how talented you were at both. Hope you're playing all the golf rounds and baseball games you could possibly imagine up there. RIP Stephanie (Schiller) Poulos '03 GHS Graduate
February 23, 2013
Ben Luong
Ray, I remembered when we worked at Brothers together. You were a great guy, a hard worker, and just knew how to have a good time. In this short period of time at U of I, I got a chance and honor to hang with you and your fellow TKE brothers! Thank you for the memories. Rest in Peace.
February 23, 2013
Andy Davis
Thank you to God for giving us Ray. I laughed every day with Ray and will miss his laugh and his heart and am so grateful for the time I had with him and the thousands of life like mine he touched. He will always be my Thunder buddy.
February 23, 2013
Gary Forren
Our deepest sympathies for all of the Raymmond Allen Kaligian 111 Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Gary L. Forren Family
February 23, 2013
Mark Gensey
Deepest Sympathy from the Gensey Family
February 23, 2013
Stephanie Rice
Words can't even begin to describe how painful this is. We grew up together with so many memories I will always remember. They will never be forgotten. Though you moved away we always kept in touch through Facebook and I am so honored to be your cousin. My heart aches for your parents. You were such an amazing person to so many. I love you so much Rayme!!
February 22, 2013
Jeanne O'Donnell
Ray you would appreciate how spell check changed your dad's name to Ryan in my message. Your beautiful eyes are laughing right now
February 22, 2013
Jeanne O'Donnell
February 22, 2013
'Little Ray' you were a light to so many people. Ray and Bobbie my heart hurts for you. I think about and pray for you
February 22, 2013
As Ray's fourth grade teacher, I still recall with fondness the wonderful young man he was even at age 10. I can still remember the invention he made for Open House; the automatic pitching machine to fill in for Dad when he was traveling. My heart is with you in this tragic loss.
Sincerely,
Nancy Krasinski
Coultrap (now Williamsburg) Elementary School
Geneva
February 22, 2013
Jeanne O'Donnell (was Barabasz)
'Little Ray' you were a light to so many people. Ryan and Bobbie my heart hurts for you. I think about and pray for you
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