After a brief illness, Ray passed at the end of January, with family by his side. A lifelong resident of California who was ever proud of his Irish heritage, Ray was 93.

Ray was the youngest of three children born to Mable May (Irwin) Houlihan in Los Angeles County. After his father’s death in 1943, Ray was enrolled as a boarding school student at Monte Vista

Christian School in Watsonville, CA, where his special interests in bicycle racing, photography, and classic cars flourished. He graduated from Monte Vista Christian High School in 1950.

As a young adult, Ray earned a BA in Education and served in the Air National Guard. In 1955 he enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed in Alaska. Later as a civilian school teacher,

Ray earned a Master’s Degree from SJSU, after which he focused the remainder of his teaching career in support of students with special needs. He retired from his final post at Turlock High School

in 1990.

He is survived by his faithful wife of nearly 70 years Wanda (Erickson) Houlihan, their four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A brief memorial service will be held for Raymond at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA, on Friday April 11, 2025 at 11:00am. Later the same day, the family is hosting a

lunch reception at 1:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 2619 N Berkeley Ave, Turlock CA. Friends and family are warmly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N Broadway, Suite 1B, Turlock, CA, would be appreciated.