Jeremiah Douglas Ray

Jeremiah Douglas Ray, 32, died June 20, 2012, at home in Palmer. A celebration of life is at 7 p.m., June 27 at Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer with Pastor Robert Lee officiating.

Jeremiah was born July 12, 1979, in Anchorage. He graduated high school and went on to attend Ecola Bible School in Oregon; Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls, S.D., class of 2000; and Wyoming Tech in Laramie, Wyo.

Jeremiah was employed at Advanced Powder Coating in Wasilla from 1995 to 2002 and at BJ’s Custom Aircraft Engines from 2003 to 2011.

He loved motocross, four-wheeling, snowmachining, rebuilding cars and his dogs.

Jeremiah was born with a wrench in his hand. His youth was woven with taking things apart and having his dad help get them back together. He practiced this skill constantly and went to school to perfect it.

He loved to ride machines. He took pride in keeping them clean and in good repair.

He was raised with two older sisters and at least six other children in his mom’s day care home. He learned to hold, feed and laugh with little ones. This love spread to his dogs, especially Klank, who was his constant companion night and day.

He was quiet, steady, tenderhearted, anxious to learn, wanted to help others and loved God. He shared his life with his family, close friends and doted on his nephews. He enjoyed cooking, watching old sitcoms, car racing and collected muscle cars that he wanted to restore.

Jeremiah lives on in our hearts and resides with God in heaven.

Surviving are his parents, Douglas A. and Natalie R. Ray of Palmer; sisters, Angelia Ray of Iowa and Rachel Ray of Wasilla; nephews, Shaylan and Greysen Ray of Iowa; aunts, Sylvia Pedersen (Bob) of Missoula, Mont., Phyllis (Richard) Tag of Missoula, Mont., Daisey (Robert) Langton of Inwood, Iowa, and Esther (Jaime) Olthoff of Fairbanks; uncles, Paul (Maggie) Hanson of Missoula, Mont., and Aaron (Wendy) Hanson of Wasilla; and 47 cousins.

Arrangements are with Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.