Memorial services for Raymond Edward “Ray” DeRosia Jr., 49, Lawrence, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place.
Ray died Monday, June 22, 2015, at his home, after a valiant and hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born August 1, 1965 at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Raymond Edward and Joan Frances DeRosia Standfield. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1983.
Ray started his 30 year career with Quaker Oats/Heinz/Del Monte in 1984. He spent fifteen years on 3rd shift, he moved to 2nd shift in 1999. Ray was designated the 2nd Shift Coordinator and really enjoyed taking on a bigger role and worked very hard to make sure his shift performed well. He enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and his two kittens.
He married Julie Ann Fritz, May 4, 1996 at the Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka, Kansas. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a brother, Jerome DeRosia (Sue) of Bellingham, WA; two sisters, Judy Cox (Jeff) of Phoenix, AZ, and Pam Eales (Matt) of Oklahoma City, OK. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association to benefit Oncology, sent in care of the funeral home.
To my dearest sister Pam and JR’s sweet wife Julie, my heart goes out to both of you for your loss of a brother and a husband. Although I never met JR just listening to Pam talk about him sounded as though he was very courageous, kind and loving man. I know you will both miss him terribly. Remember the good times, laughing memories, and most of all he know longer is suffering in any way.
May God Bless his soul. God Bless you all.
Love to all,
Linda
I am so sorry for your loss, I’ll be praying for you.
Dear Julie, yours and Jr’s incredible journey the last couple of years has taught us a lot about making the most of each day with your partner; through the good times and bad.
You have been an inspiration to us all by maintaining a sense of humor, and doing ‘whatever it took’ to make sure Jr was in good hands and comfortable. You did all this while working full-time, making time for family/friends, playing sports when time allowed, and baking to your hearts content (which everyone loved sampling your home-baked goodies!). =)
Know you’re in our hearts and prayers. Know you did everything right for Jr. and he’s at peace now. Jr will forever be in our hearts and never forgotten. All our love, ~Steve & Le-Thu
Julie, We are sorry to hear about your husband. Sending thoughts & prayers at this difficult time.
God bless JR for his long lasting endurance & hard fought battle. He is at peace.
Although I will not be at your service, I’ll be there in spirit. JR was upbeat & such a kind, caring soul. I will miss him.
Ray was the perfect nickname for Raymond. He brought a ray of sunshine wherever he went. His sense of humor was always appreciated.
Please know you are in our prayers.
Julie your strength through these last few years with Jr. has been admirable. Jr. was kind and caring, and could put a smile on one’s face even when he was not feeling so well himself. What a beautiful soul he was. Jr.is at peace now. May God Bless and guide you Julie through this time. My sincere condolences,and my thoughts and prayers are with you Julie.
I had the pleasure of working with Ray for many years, he will be greatly missed. May God bless you all in this difficult time.
Julie I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Sheryl
Julie we are truly sorry for your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Kathleen and the Advertising Department
We are sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. You are in our hearts for healing from his passing. May God be with you all.
So sorry for your loss.
I met JR about 30 years ago. We became buddies right away. He was one of the most amazing, kind, caring and giving man I had the pleasure of knowing. Many, many great memories. Too many to list, but the one most appropriate at this time was when I arranged for Julie (who was also my friend and co-worker) to meet another one of my male friends. JR came so I wouldn’t be a 3rd wheel, but little did I know that JR and Julie would hit it off and then have this amazing life together. May God Hold JR in His Loving Arms, and God Bless You Julie. My thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Tina
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Our prayers for healing are with you Julie. Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may your heart know that JR is in a better place, after his long, valiant fight. Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on your friends for strength and always remember how much you are cared about.
Linda and Gary
We would like to extend our most heartfelt sorrow and condolences. So sorry Julie.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
We know that J. R. is in a better place.
Our prayers are with your family.
Ray & Sandy