Ray Fredrick McCune, age 83, passed away in the late morning of August 12, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a life well lived. He was born June 19, 1941, to William Francis McCune and Irmgard Pauline Mehner McCune. Ray graduated from Alhambra High School, then attended East Los Angeles College for two years.
Ray married his sweetheart, Susan Jan Watkins, in Los Angeles, California on September 18, 1964. Together they have six children: Lea, Rebecca, MariAnn, Mark, Elisabeth, and Emily.
During his lifetime, Ray worked in real estate, but found much satisfaction being an entrepreneur. He developed and sold, even patented, different construction and concrete compounds. After retirement, his passion became genealogy. He loved to keep busy with home projects, was a handyman never afraid to tackle any project. He enjoyed gardening. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and dutch oven cooking, liking to cook for big groups. He loved sharing his culinary concoctions, especially his barbeque turkey, spaghetti, and dutch oven chicken and potatoes, with others.
Ray is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, always willing to serve where needed or called. He served a mission in Switzerland as a young man. He served as a bishop two times, including in a family ward and in a student ward. He and Jan served missions together at the Lindon Utah Cannery for a year; at the BYU Family History Library for 3 ½ years, at the MTC for a year; and 4 months in Naples, Italy, reading ancient manuscripts with F.A.R.M.S. He and Jan also served for 18 months at the Salt Lake Family History Library, as well as serving in the Timpanogos and Payson Temples. They loved their time spent serving in the temple.
Ray is survived by his eternal companion, Jan; and their children: Lea (Kevin) Fisher, Rebecca (Jason) Tracy, MariAnn (David) Arbon, Mark (Jocie) McCune, Elisabeth (Darin) Lundberg, and Emily (Brook) Ostler. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his siblings: Shirley Smith, Clark (Morag) McCune, and Craig (Tracy) McCune. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers: Landon, Blake, and Roger.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Payson 18th Ward Chapel, 482 West 1400 South, Payson, Utah. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, August 16, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Family and friends may also gather at the church on Saturday morning, August 17, 2024, from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. for a visitation prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Payson City Cemetery, 805 East 400 North, Payson, Utah 84651.
In lieu of flowers, Ray’s family suggests donations be made to Primary Children’s Hospital.
3 Condolences for Ray Fredrick McCune
Condolences(3)
Lance Watkins says
August 13, 2024 at 11:43 pmSo sorry to hear this sad news. Uncle Ray touched our lives in so many positive ways and he and Aunt Jan were such good friends with our parents and did so much for them over the years. Earth feels a little hollow today. 😪
Scott Johnson says
August 17, 2024 at 2:02 amOh what a friend. I will miss him so. Ray was one if a kind. To his wife and children just know you are loved and in our prayers. Ray is fine, it is we who suffer. Nobody I know had a greater witness of the afterlife than Ray McCune
Donni Krans says
August 23, 2024 at 4:53 amRay you were more funny than scary. I will always remember the scout camps, road shows and your bbq at church gatherings. But most of all I will remember what a great family you and Jan made. Also the great example the McCune family had set. Thanks for welcoming me into your home and taking care of me when we had sleepovers. I can thank you all for making me a Neil Dimond fan. I will always love you all. I know you know and I know we will see you again. Keep the bbq fresh my friend I can’t wait to enjoy a sandwich with ya.