He also spent time behind the camera at Ferndale's Cable TV during City Council meetings and helped the disabled in his spare time.

Those who knew Ray were always happy to see his smiling face appear with his ready sense of humor. Even if it was an old joke, his delivery made it funny again — “let me say this about that” he would intone, then ask a nonsensical question like “Did you skaz your burgnier off today?"

After surviving heart bypass surgery complicated by a stroke in 1997, and a bout with the West Nile Virus a few years later, Ray White continued his decades of civic engagement as a member of the Oak Park Election Commission (1989 - 2009) and the Board of Review (2006 - 2009). He also led the effort to build a replica of the “Crow's Nest” traffic signal at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and 9 Mile Road in Ferndale. This was a very familiar corner to Ray, who led marching bands in parades down the street for many years as a volunteer assistant band director, inspired by marching in Detroit's Thanksgiving Day parade as a child.

A big fan of the Detroit Tigers and Ernie Harwell, whom he considered a friend, Ray had a lifetime pass to the Baseball Hall of Fame, received for his donation of an antique three-finger glove. He was particularly proud of the softball trophy won while still playing in his 40s. His recollections of sandlot baseball and a kids training day with Hank Greenburg were cherished.

Ray attended the 1935 World Series, noted on the commemorative brick by the entrance to the new ball park. Another favorite pastime of Ray and his wife, Mary, was the Detroit Symphony, where they had box seats. A tuba player since 4th grade, Ray was fortunate to see his youngest son, Walter, perform with the symphony as a featured trumpet soloist.

Raymond Henry White, age 85, faithful husband of Mary Ruth (Damon) White for 62 years and loving father of five children, passed away August 4, 2010 from a congenital heart defect. Ray is survived by his wife, Mary; his brother, Harold (Sally); daughters, Elaine Hynes (Tim) and Bette; along with sons, William (Jennifer), Richard (Barbara) and Walter (Christianne); twelve grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren join in mourning the patriarch of the family. Always giving back, Ray donated his body for science to Wayne State University, from which Mary graduated in 1976. A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, August 15, from 1-3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Ferndale, 22331 Woodward Avenue