Frank Raymond “Ray” Sears, life-long resident of the Sexsmith and Grande Prairie areas, AB, passed away on September 13, 2024, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital at the age of 84 years.

Ray was born in Sexsmith, AB, at Johanna’s nursing home on June 18, 1940, and welcomed into the family by parents Raymond Sr. and Gwendoline Sears (nee Redwood) and sister Rita. He was raised on the family farm and educated at McHenry School, Grande Prairie High School, and the Vermillion School of Agriculture before continuing his lifelong career in farming. After his 1962 marriage to Patricia Jennings, Pat and Ray moved to the Emerson Trail family farm and added their two sons to their family: Warren Brent in 1965, and Gregory Allan in 1967. Ray and Pat continued to farm until their full retirement in 2008 when they moved into the Westlake neighbourhood of Grande Prairie.

Commitment to farming, family and community were some of Ray’s most endearing traits. He and Pat raised their boys in a loving home that gave Brent and Greg a solid footing in life. Growing a successful farm was important but there was always time made to experience a diversity of activities and perspectives through travel, recreation and community involvement.

Retirement for Ray was much like his successful life in farming. He took personal pride in his well-kept yard, precise woodworking and contributions to the community including the annual Westlake picnic that they hosted in their yard by the lake. Ray was an exceptionally devoted husband and spent much of his last decade providing loving support to Pat as they faced her progressive physical and cognitive challenges together. When Pat passed away in 2022, after almost 60 years of marriage, Ray’s passion for many things began to wane but he continued to love farming, drives in the country and visits from friends and family.

Ray and Pat had their lives forever changed with the sudden passing of Brent in 2004. Ray was also predeceased by his parents, brothers-in-law Allan Jennings and Willie Hantiuk, nephew Cam Hantiuk and many of his friends and family that shared mutual bonds of farming, fellowship and community service.

Ray will be sadly missed by son Greg; daughter-in-law Mélise (Stevens); granddaughters Maiya and Megan; sister Rita Sears; nieces Janice (Jim) Parker and Lisa Wehrhahn; sister-in-law Joyce Hantiuk and her family of Janice Hantiuk; Pamela Hantiuk (Wayne Zalapsky), and Doug Hantiuk. He will also be missed by extended family and the numerous community members to whom he provided friendship, mentoring and support throughout his life.

The family would like to acknowledge the special support provided to Ray and Pat by their caregiving friends Princess, Devine, Abbe, Ava, Melody and Arlyn as well as the many health care professionals that touched their lives.

A Memorial Service followed by a Celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Sexsmith Civic Centre (99 Ave) with lunch and fellowship to follow.

Memorial donations can be made to the Sexsmith & District Community Foundation (https://cfna.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1045).

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com