Charles "Chuck" Ray

Charles (Chuck) Ray, 77, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025. Services will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 2 pm. A Celebration of Life is planned for later. Chuck was born in Des Moines to Landon (Pat) and Katherine Ray, and was a graduate of Dowling High School, class of ‘66. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving 4 years in San Diego on the USS Sperry AS12. In 1968 Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Donna Scarpino. While in San Diego, they welcomed their daughter Michelle. When his military service ended, Chuck worked for W.T. Grants Department store and as a bus driver with San Diego Transit. Both Chuck and Donna enjoyed the Datsun Racing Club, the California bowling scene, fishing in the ocean, golfing, cheering on the San Diego Padres, and evening bonfires on the beach with family and friends. After more than a decade in San Diego, Chuck and family moved back to Des Moines where he began his career with the US Postal Service. He continued fishing, bowling and golfing, while adding summer vacations to Lake Okoboji for many years. After becoming a grandfather to Parker and Zach, he was a full-time fixture at ALL of their sporting events and activities. In addition to cheering on his grandsons, being a lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, he cheered on the Pittsburgh Steelers and his beloved St. Louis Cardinals, for whom he proudly flew his garden flag. Chuck loved all dogs, their three cats (who ignored him), Captain Morgan and Diet Coke, a good port wine, cooking (he perfected an amazing Jambalaya), collecting Tommy Bahama shirts, watching Dr. Who, arguing with Michelle, British crime dramas, Sherlock Holmes, dark chocolate, lottery tickets, and all the other things that will forever remind us of him. Chuck is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Michelle, grandsons Parker and Zach, his sister Cheryl, Mercy the cat, his granddogs Reggie and Oakley, along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and nieces & nephews who were all very important to him. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, aunts and uncles, a brother-in-law, a niece, and many beloved family pets (especially Cecil and Strider, with whom he is now reunited). In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to contribute to your local Animal Rescue League, Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org), or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Charles "Chuck" Ray

July 13, 1948 - September 20, 2025