Washington, Utah - Raymond Cripps DeWitt, 84, passed away peacefully December 29, 2021, with loved ones by his side. Even though kidney cancer left him broken and took him from us way too soon, he left a beacon of light for all to see and follow.

Raymond is survived by his beautiful wife, Sheila. He was the proud father of seven wonderful children: Keith (Jeanette), Bob (Gloria), Valerie, Ray (Alison), Cami (Fernando), Jared, and Sunni. He is also survived by four siblings: Dawn, Danne, Mitch, and Devary; along with 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, whom he dearly loved and supported.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Suzan.

Ray was born January 8, 1937, to Ramond Chessar DeWitt and Ida Thayle Peck in Downey, California. He was raised in Downey and Bellflower, California, and Yakima, Washington.

From his early childhood years, Ray had a love of music. He was a very accomplished musician and excelled at playing the violin, guitar, banjo and mandolin. Ray was able to play in his school, church, and later in life, in a country band.

Ray graduated from Excelsior High School in 1955. He enjoyed arising early whether for work or enjoying some of his hobbies.

Ray was always a hard worker, working up to just a few days prior to his death. He was very proud of the things he accomplished. His word meant everything in his life.  He enjoyed many career opportunities in his life, including being a manager at SoundScriber Company in San Francisco, where he was on the leading edge of the dictation industry. He also owned and operated a dairy in Tillamook, Oregon. He talked often about starting a dairy in Hawaii, but that was just so he could live there.  He started in the building industry with his father in southern California and eventually transitioned to building commercial and residential properties in southern Utah and California. He truly loved building his own cabin, as well as others, on Cedar Mountain. One of his favorites to build was for his friend and neighbor, Mark Harvey.

Ray was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed many opportunities to serve. He had a rooted belief in Jesus Christ and doing what was right all the time.

Ray married the love of his life, Sheila, October 5, 1985. She brought two children to their marriage, and he brought four children. They had one together. They became a family of seven.  Ray and Sheila were later married in the St. George Temple on April 17, 1987.

Ray enjoyed many hobbies. Owning horses and using them for ranch work and hunting brought him much joy. He also loved golfing and all shooting sports and was seldom beaten at the weekly skeet shoot he attended on Wednesdays. Hunting was a big part of his life and he enjoyed hunting trips throughout the world. He was able to travel to Africa in 2004, where he had the time of his life. Many great lessons were taught to all that had a desire pertaining to hunting and outdoor life.   Ray loved to travel and was able to go to many places including Africa, China, Hawaii, and many other places in the United States.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., with a visitation prior at 12:00 p.m., at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah.

Ray DeWitt Service Program