Obituary of Jim Ray

James (Jim) Darwin Ray, 81, of Cloquet, MN, went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on April 18, 2025.

Jim was born on June 25, 1943 in Windom, MN, to Clifford and Adeline (Wildfeuer) Ray. He was one of 14 children. In high school, Jim was a state wrestling champion who spent summers working for area farmers and later landed a job at Wojahn Construction, spurring his love of home-building. After graduating from Windom High School in 1962, Jim married Julee (Bell) Ray, on June 1, 1963. They moved to the Twin Cities, where Jim trained with Debold and Doyle Lock in Minneapolis as a locksmith. Jim and Julee welcomed their daughter Leslee and later their son Christopher. The family then moved to Remer, where they co-owned the "Green Acres" resort until moving to Proctor. Jim opened a locksmith shop called Duluth Lock and Key in Duluth, in addition to his employment with Sell Hardware and the University of Minnesota–Duluth, until his retirement in 2004.

Jim had a passion for helping people—especially his church family from St Paul's Lutheran Church. In addition to lending a helping hand wherever needed, he also built and remodeled his own homes (in both Esko and Cloquet). He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, traveling with family and friends, and carpentry.

Jim is survived by his wife Julee of Cloquet, MN; daughter Leslee (Glen) Etheridge of Racine, WI; and son Christopher (Stacia) Ray of Duluth, GA; four grandchildren, Andrew, Brandt, Adelia, and Jensen; great-granddaughter, Mavis; brother Larry (Ann) of Medford, WI; sisters Eva Solem of Huron, SD, Karon Ray (John Aumer) of Windom, MN, Sharon Bretzman of Windom, MN, Marilyn Brown of Phoenix, AZ, Marsha Kolander of Jackson, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Robert, Harvey, Eugene, Verlin, and Bruce Ray; infant sister Phyllis and sister Lois Petron; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of a formal service, the family will be gathering for a celebration of life in June.