Raymond “Ray” Seymour Harrison, born to Raymond Carlos Harrison and Brenda Faye (English) Holmes on October 10, 1960, peacefully departed this world surrounded by his loving family on November 20, 2023.
Ray was a devoted Man of God, though his calling wasn’t that of a preacher by profession, he lived his life as a testament to his faith. He found joy in sharing the teachings of the Lord with anyone who would lend an ear. Ray’s warm and approachable nature made him easy to talk to, and he had a gift for engaging in lengthy, meaningful conversations. A natural storyteller, Ray had a way of bringing the Word to life through his anecdotes and experiences.
Apart from his spiritual pursuits, Ray had a passion for firearms and target practice. His love for the outdoors extended to flying drones, capturing the beauty of historic churches and barns through his aerial adventures. Ray’s creativity and love for history were reflected in the videos he meticulously crafted.
A compassionate soul, Ray dedicated his time as a volunteer at Camp Daniel in Athelstane, WI, a place close to his heart that catered to special needs individuals. His selflessness and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others left an indelible mark on the community he served.
On August 26, 2017, Ray met the second love of his life, Karen Held. United by their shared love for Jesus, they quickly realized that their union was destined. Engaged on September 28, 2017, they joyfully exchanged vows on December 30, 2017. Ray and Karen’s love was a testament to the profound impact Jesus can have on a relationship.
Beyond his devotion to God and family, Ray had a special place in his heart for his furry companions. He adored his pet cats, and their presence brought immeasurable joy to his life.
He is preceded in death by his former wife, Cheryl (Haberman) Harrison; grandson, Andrew Peterson; father, Raymond “Carlos” Harrison; maternal grandparents, Seymour and Lola (Craig) English; fraternal grandparents, Raymond and Tressie (Pumphrey) Harrison; and special cousin-best friend, Randy Stanford.
Ray is survived by his wife, Karen Held-Harrison; son, Aaron Cook; step-children, Dawn Bauman, Jennifer Jost, Heather (Ryan) Wallmow, Amber (Scott) Storms and Jared Euteneuer; 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; mother, Brenda (Dan) Holmes; siblings, Melissa (Randall) Ingram, Dena Dill, Craig (Terri) Dill, Stephanie (Zach) Gorham; step-brother, Paul Holmes; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark Held-Harrison (Allison Waggoner), Greg (Nancy) Held, Ken Held, Dan Held, Timothy (Leah) Held; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 24, 2023 at 6:00 PM with visitation one hour prior at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael-Albertville (300 Main Street North). Inurnment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Windom, MN on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Daniel at www.campdaniel.org
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com