Raymond (Ray) Floyd Lund, Jr. of Howell, Michigan, crossed over peacefully on the evening of January 27, 2022, with his loving wife, many of his children and grandchildren by his side. Ray was born May 1933 in Omaha, NE to Raymond Floyd Lund, Sr. and Ruby Mae Lund (née Winscot). He grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota pursuing many interests throughout his school years. Ray studied at Dakota Bible College where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Wolf, whom he married in 1955. Ray and Dorothy moved to Lincoln, Illinois, where he continued his studies at Lincoln Christian University and started a family that would ultimately grow to seven children, six sons and daughters in law, fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. While in Illinois, Ray began a career in technical sales with Sangamo Electric – a leading technology company in its day. His work took him around the US relocating his family from Illinois to California, Texas, Maryland and ultimately Michigan. He worked on state-of-the-art projects including at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center in Houston (including Apollo 13), the Pentagon, and General Motors’ proving grounds. In the late 70’s, Ray began a career at Trans-Industries, which specialized in the mass-transit industry, where he served as VP of Sales. This afforded him the opportunity to see the world including spending substantial time spent in faraway places like Australia and China.
Always the entrepreneur, Ray started American Laser Graphics, a screen-printing company, in the mid-80’s, which specialized in “destination signage” for subway and bus systems including Chicago and New York City. In his later years, Ray spent many of his hours “downstairs.” His basement shop was a tinkerer’s paradise; full of musical instruments, vintage technology equipment, a 1929 Mercedes Kit Car, and a “Dragonfly” kit plane. In his wood shop, he enjoyed making and giving away intarsia. His passion for classical music and instruments ran deep; he learned to make and play violins, violas, guitars, and other unique stringed instruments. Ray was a quintessential renaissance man; his curiosity and love of learning never waned. In the latest stages of life, he continued to pursue countless endeavors & projects. If you knew Ray, you knew he was a perpetual teacher, always sharing his knowledge (or a joke) with those around him.
Ray was passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ; he loved the Church and was committed to service and Christian education. Through their travels, Ray and Dorothy always found a Church home that would be the center of the family’s activities. Ray served many roles in these Churches including as a pianist, organist, Deacon, Elder, and Sunday school teacher. Ray was always looking to make a connection, and was often quietly reaching out, trying to make a difference in someone’s world. Importantly, it was never just “Ray” it was always “Ray & Dorothy.” Wherever Ray went, whatever Ray accomplished, Dorothy was steadfastly by his side until the end. Whether raising children, supporting his career, sustaining the family, or serving together in the Church, Dorothy was Ray’s foundation. This was fully realized in recent years, where maintaining independence was enabled only through their care for each other.
Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Lund; his children: Raymond (Rose) Lund III, Daniel Lund, Debbie (Rick) Yarbrough, Belinda (Omar Bjarki) Lund Bjarki, Bonnie (Ron) Otto, David (Kim) Lund, and Jonathan (Jessica) Lund. Grandchildren: Christina Lund, Kimberly Lund, Rick (Casey) Yarbrough II, Laci (Nathan) Landry, Samantha (Chris) Elmore, Stephanie (Dennis) Bing, Mark Otto, Matthew Otto, Ashley Lund, Andrew Lund, Avery Lund, Alexandra Lund, Evian Lund, Ethan Lund, and Jonah Lund. Great Grandchildren; Ellias, Layla, McKenna Yarbrough, Addison Yarbrough, Luke Yarbrough, Marisa Elmore, Audrey Elmore, Alex Elmore, Lilia Landry, Finn Landry, Benjamin Bing and Emma Bing. Ray was preceded in death by his Father, Mother, and his Brother Gerald Lund.
Services will be held Tuesday, February 1, at South Lansing Christian Church, 6300 N. Aurelius Rd., Lansing, MI 48911. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon following the service will be provided. For those who desire to, please consider donating to Great Lake Christian College 6211 W. Willow Highway, Lansing, MI 49017 or the Church or Charity of your choice. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.