Raymond Monroe Chester, 74, departed this life on Monday, November 29, 2021 and is with his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. That morning, Ray was happily reminiscing with his wife, Sue, on the many blessings he had with his family on Thanksgiving, including how each grandchild had loved on him, when his heart suddenly beat its last.
Ray entered this life in Berkeley, California on April 4, 1947. He was sedulous in music (guitar and voice), cars, models, sports, and backpacking. Ray was often described as a hands-on, inquisitive, tenacious, jack-of-all-trades, and a handyman par excellence. Ray attended BIOLA University where he met two pivotal professors who redirected his life and focus on God. There he married his bride in 1967 and together they embarked on a lifetime journey in ministry. Despite Ray’s dyslexia, he earned several degrees (BA, MA, & PhD), was a professor, ordained minister, missionary, pastor, Chaplin, counselor for juvenile offenders, mental health professional, an appointed member of multiple government boards, and much more. He served in churches, a psychiatric hospital, in hospice, and in universities, seminaries, and Bible colleges.
Ray lived this life with a passion for learning, growing and healing. He saw fellow missionaries dealing with intensely stressful situations, and he wanted to find a way to help. Ray believed God called him to guide people towards healing from the wounds they endured. He loved nothing more than to teach God’s word, to share the importance of history, and to help people see the walls that blocked healing, freeing them to pursue recovery.
As a writer, Ray saw himself following in the long history of village storytellers whose role is to pass on a legacy of tribal wisdom to the younger generations. The village Ray wrote to is the Body of Christ, and the stories he told are wrapped in His-story, God’s Holy Word. He encapsulated his real-world experiences by writing four novels to encourage people who find themselves on the brink of destruction—answering questions like ‘what do you do when you lose all that matters?’ Ray’s heart was focused on God and this too is mirrored in his books. His first novel was “The Old Man and The Butterfly”. A modern-day Berean, he loved God’s Word, reading through the Bible each of his 38 final years.
When asked what was most important to him, Ray often shared: God, his family, helping people grow, and 3 John 4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” He walked as he believed; he was a devoted husband, loving father, tender grandfather, and comforter to many.
Ray is survived by his wife Sue of 54 years, his two sons Eric and Ryan (Roongrat); three grandchildren Zachary, Renée and Raze; his brother Robert (Nancy); his sister-in-law Joan; nephews Rob (Jennifer), Greg, and Peter; and nieces Jennifer and Amy (Tony); and their families.
The celebration of Ray’s life has been placed on hold and will be scheduled at a later date. His ashes will be scattered privately per his wishes.
While we are so very sad that Ray is no longer physically with us, we thank God that we can rest in the fact that He is now in heaven with his reaon for living, his life’passion, and whom he stood for, Jesus Christ.
Blessings and comfort be with Sue, Ryan, Eric, and their families, and his many many friends.
Oh my, how we loved Ray. He was all that you record above. To us, he was a wise counselor and comforter, a faithful friend who walked with our family when we were especially weary. When we learned of his death, we felt the loss keenly even though we had not actually seen Ray for several years. He is missed. Of Ray my husband said, “He preached the Gospel.” There can be no higher calling, and he was faithful to that calling. God bless you, dear Sue and family. We love you.
God brought Ray into our lives back in 1987 when he and Dave Sanford taught a missions Sunday School class at our church. That led to me quitting a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and going to the mission field where we remain to this day. The two fellows were my missions profs at Arizona College of the Bible and mentored me. Ray continued over the years giving me advice and loving us. I was so sad to hear of his passing and will miss him everyday until we see him in Glory.
While we are so very sad that Ray is no longer physically with us, we thank God that we can rest in the fact that He is now in heaven with his reaon for living, his life’passion, and whom he stood for, Jesus Christ.
Blessings and comfort be with Sue, Ryan, Eric, and their families, and his many many friends.
Oh my, how we loved Ray. He was all that you record above. To us, he was a wise counselor and comforter, a faithful friend who walked with our family when we were especially weary. When we learned of his death, we felt the loss keenly even though we had not actually seen Ray for several years. He is missed. Of Ray my husband said, “He preached the Gospel.” There can be no higher calling, and he was faithful to that calling. God bless you, dear Sue and family. We love you.
God brought Ray into our lives back in 1987 when he and Dave Sanford taught a missions Sunday School class at our church. That led to me quitting a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and going to the mission field where we remain to this day. The two fellows were my missions profs at Arizona College of the Bible and mentored me. Ray continued over the years giving me advice and loving us. I was so sad to hear of his passing and will miss him everyday until we see him in Glory.