Glen Ray Healey’s Spirit was Uplifted from the Earthly Plane

September 8, 2022

MillCreek City, Utah

Those at his side experienced and witnessed true the old wives’ tale

that loved ones prefer to eclipse this life through the shimmering moment

between the watchful gaze.

Unconventional Glen Isaac Healey and feisty but proper Helen May Holmes Healey welcomed Glen Ray on March 8th, 1941, born the middle child between Joyce and Wayne. The 3 were raised in South Salt Lake, Utah. Helen endeavored to instill standard educational and salt of the earth spiritual values, while Glen peppered kid life with new age philosophies, dance lessons (tap and ballet), horses to ride, local resort ski trips, and travel to Grandparent’s apple orchard farm in Pasco, WA. The 3 hand-picked their favorite pets, excelled in escapades with a cadre of friends, and became The 5 when Riley and Merle melded into the family.

In early environs Ray developed a lifelong passion of simply admiring and loving folks, favoring God’s feminine masterpieces and appreciating Mother Nature’s Miracles. His ‘40 Ford was his happy place, followed by the seat of two wheel vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles. He received tutelage from neighbors in rebuilding carburetors until Granite High School graduation. His favorite high school and university classes were Choir and Opera. Admittedly, his first attempt in higher education at Utah State University combusted with enthusiastic extracurricular activities, and pending probable military enrollment led to his enlistment in the United States Air Force. Assignment as an aircraft fuel systems mechanic included international travel and habitation in a Mediterranean country surrounded by the Ionian, Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Interestingly Lt. Col. E. J. Holmes, Age 46, U.S. Army is remarked as his Uncle on an admission paper. After completing military service Ray was Honorably Discharged.

Ray was joined abroad by his spouse, Jan. A stork arrived with a delivery of one priceless infant wrapped in pink, named Renée. Two years later a blue bundle tumbled from the stateside sky with a specialty item, named Jeffrey. Ray remained deeply appreciative of Jan’s care and talents in raising their children whom he viewed as mythical creatures. The next best gift ever several years down the road was tending and adventuring with the miraculous and mysterious grandchildren, Dylan and Morgan. He was ever thankful to son-in-law Tom for brilliance as co-creator and co-director of family life.

You might be one of the plentiful Cousins who were Renée and Jeff’s playmates! The collective offspring of the Healey/Holmes/, Yorke/Burgess/Schutz, Wood/Frazier/, Skinner bloodline children (confusing, eh?) were full of creativity, fun, joy, endurance, returning mischief for mischief at every turn of the Moon. Ray undoubtedly is cheering their adventurers as adults onward from heavenly realms, and honored to be considered Our Uncle Ray by this remarkable and loveable family flock.

Emark

Return from military service in Southern Europe afforded education under the G.I. Bill. Ray joined a university business fraternity, earned a B.S. Accounting Degree with Cum Laude honors from the University of Utah, and accepted a Master’s Scholarship of Merit for graduate school on the sole condition that he cut his kind-a-long locks (which he did.) In post-graduation job settings he moved from Federal Government Credit Union Examiner, to Managing Partner of a restaurant in Trolley Square (often a family affair at the counter and behind the scenes) where he might have concocted an amazing meal for you, accountant for a movie company (“roll credits”), and owner / driver of a gas trucking business often travelling between favorite destinations of Moab, UT and Casper, WY. He eventually abandoned regular work hours, journeyed and soft landed in a New England spiritual community. He dabbled in honing his spiritual consciousness, communication and healing arts skills (with good effect.) He eventually returned to Utah to care for his dad for 7 years, and thereafter retired from Utah Transit Authority Incident Management Department where he met and maintained many life-long friends.

Ray’s happiest personal experiences were enhanced through the University of Life Self Directed Study Program with a double major in “Love your Neighbor as You Wanna Be Loved” and the ‘Let It Be’ Theory. He filled much of his life in the minors of “-ing:” eat-, drink-, nap-, work-, drive-, read-, cross country ski-, not too hot tub-, hike- (“We’re Almost There”), bike- (“I can fix flats”}, camp- (“Coffee with your Sunshine?”), lov-, and Evermore Tree Hugging Amour. He grew great organic gardens, nurtured hops along with Hope, then mashed, brewed and shared friend famous beer. He broke a foot bone landing his first and only tandem airplane jump on his 50th birthday gifted by someone encouraging him to remain crazy young. A primal Nature Spirit Event occurred while ocean swimming in Hawaii; a large turtle glided toward and around Ray for an extended swim about, expanding into a gentle flotilla of heads and flippers, until silently all dispersed and drifted away. Ray’s Piscean aura energy always supplemented the ever-expanding richness of regular Ray Encounters.

Ray and Joanna met through the matchmaking efforts of Brother Wayne, Friend Darla, and Grandpa George’s special Angel Squad. After the usual personality quirks of mid-life romances were tweaked and amended, they sparkled through loving and glowing moments of 38 years of companionship. Their Winter 2003 spontaneous breakaway wedding at Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab, Utah delivered a shocking start when mid-morning weather turned frigid and heavy early December snow impeded the trek to the Colorado River side ceremonial blessings stage. The day was saved when the Lodge staff rearranged bar tables, chairs, food and Christmas decorations. A roaring fireplace provided an impressive background to their vows. Days later reckless travel set the tone for the rest of their semi-quiet life. Ray climbed into the passenger seat of Silverado (circa 1997,) offered the keys to Joanna who elected to drive The Million Dollar Highway from Ouray to Silverton, Colorado, thereby closing the wintry snowstorm honeymoon phase of 19 years – accomplished with “No Terror.”

These We Cherish

Memories will be tenderly held by his constantly amused and amazed Second-Half-Life wife, Joanna; sibling Out-Laws, Teresa, Don, Kristin, nieces 3, nephews 5; and Parent Out-Laws, deceased Elaine and Dean; all of whom met Ray mid-1984 and whose lives he graciously enhanced thereafter. Life lessons and experiences enriched with their father, Ray, will be relived in joy by his adult children: son, Jeffrey; daughter Renée and spouse, Tom; their mother, Jan; and grandchildren, Dylan and Morgan. Memories of siblings Riley (Rula) and Merle (David) hold honor as graciously surviving their induction into Healey childhood and beyond. Originally surprised, and now survived by an amazing, delightful and accomplished passel of nieces, nephews, and their offspring who will hopefully carry, build on and improve the family traditions of their choosing. Preceded in death by risk-taking, hardy, pioneering forebearers: closely held grandparents (Holmes and Healeys), aunts, uncles, and cousins; his aforementioned determined parents, Glen and Helen; kind, patient sister Joyce (deceased spouse gentle Gerald); enigmatic brother Wayne Thomas (surviving sister-in-law Laura is in our hearts as a space holder of family journeys and memories,) beloved nephew, Marcus; Dog Troop Sherray, Sport, Tippy, and Bodhi Dogma (2022.) Notice: Fact Checking of this material is sketchy at best.

In the final accounting Ray’s spiritual essence set him apart from mere mortals. With this gift of grace he traversed many years, mostly humble, peaceful and strong through the ever deepening Valley of the Shadow of Death ~ It was not always a tranquil journey, yet flowed with constancy of acknowledged blessings, gratitude, deep caring, trust, love, empathy, and that certain Healey man’s “je ne sais quoi” mystical quality.

--Devotedly although belatedly submitted by Wife Joanna, 09/07/2025, three years post death of Glen Ray Healey.

Our appreciation to the Newlon Family of IPS Mortuary & Crematory. They were generous and accommodating during the total preparation period. IPS Mortuary & Crematory has served the Healey family professionally for three generations. We recommend IPS for your times of need during times like these.