It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death, peacefully, of W Bro Stanley Raymond (Ray) Johnson PPJGW on 7 February aged 92yrs. Ray’s health had deteriorated in recent months.
Ray was a Past Master of Adel Lodge No 6250, having been initiated on 5 June 1962. He served Adel Lodge as Almoner and Charity Steward. Ray was appointed PPJGD in 1989 and subsequently promoted to PPGReg in 1996 and PPJGW in 2001. He was made an Honorary Member of Adel Lodge in November 2014.
Ray joined Leeds & District Lodge of installed Masters No 7918 in March 1994, serving as Charity Steward from 2003 - 2005 before resigning in 2011.
Ray was a Founder Member of the Rugby Football Lodge No 9811 on its Consecration in September 2005. Ray was very proud to be a Founder member of the Rugby Football Lodge. He enjoyed the ceremonies, the Festive Board and the brethren – both with and without the benefit of his hearing aids! Ray had a twinkle in his eye and a fund of rugby stories that will be sadly missed by all.
He was elected an Honorary Member in March 2018 when the combination of his health and a move to Haverfordwest to live with his daughter Liz and her husband Martin meant that he would no longer be able to enjoy the company of the brethren.
Ray had a long association with Yarnbury RUFC both as a player, coach and administrator; serving as President for over 50 years.
I have no doubt that the club will rightly regard him as ‘a legend’.
Ray can truly be said to have lived respected and died regretted.