Kenneth Irving Ray

After 81 exceptional years, Kenneth Irving Ray passed away on April 15, 2026. He was born February 17, 1945, the oldest of 10 children born to Irving and Ethlyn Ray. Kenneth was born while his father was fighting on the ground in Europe during WWII, and that same willingness to serve and sacrifice characterized his life.

An Arizona native, Kenneth grew up in Mesa where he graduated with honors from Mesa High School. After serving an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay, he attended Brigham Young University where he studied electrical engineering, graduating at the top of his class with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While at BYU he met and married the love of his life, Christine Singleton, in June 1969. Following the example of his father, Kenneth entered the military during wartime.

After serving over 10 years both active duty and reserves, he retired and was honorably discharged as a captain in the US Army. Kenneth brought his young family back to Arizona where he worked as an engineer at Motorola for 34 years. During that time, he was distinguished with many awards and recognitions and granted numerous patents.

His life was filled with service to others, both formal and informal, known and unknown. Kenneth served missions with his wife in Ukraine, Russia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. He used his skills and expertise to pioneer online and electronic genealogy and family history, as well as serving a support mission for the Temple Department.

Kenneth served in many other capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including bishop of the Mesa 61st Ward and as a temple worker with his wife. He was always willing to help and would jump at any chance to lift the burdens carried by others. His Christlike attitude and efforts blessed the lives of countless people and will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Christine, and his eight children: Brian (Erin), Mark (Karen), Spencer (Sara), Heather (Derek Madsen), Jordan (Mandy), Michael (Diane), Tyler (Tiffani), and Jennifer (Jeff Gonzalez), as well as 31 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Highland East Stake Center and from 10:00AM to 10:45AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00AM with burial held in the City of Mesa Cemetery.

For those unable to attend the service may be live streamed at : https://youtube.com/live/o4NLRFQUxNM?feature=share

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.