Thomas Keil Rayman, 66
Published 10:38 am Thursday, October 9, 2014
Thomas Keil Rayman was taken “home” on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, in Ely.
Rayman
He was born in Austin, Minnesota, on March 14, 1948, to Dr. Frederick Rayman Jr. and Jacqueline (Callies) Rayman.
Thomas graduated from Austin High School in 1966 and later earned degrees in psychology and biology from Winona State. Thomas was an Eagle Scout. He loved to read and had written a letter to one of his favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, and was quite pleased to receive a letter in return. He was a lover of the theater and acted in many plays throughout his lifetime. He also enjoyed swimming, soccer and fencing as a young man.
Thomas touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. He remembered everyone’s name and made sure to ask how they and their families were doing. He visited at the Ely Clinic and volunteered at the Boundary Waters Care Nursing Home. He frequently brought chocolates to brighten everyone’s day. He would visit those people that were hospitalized and in years past enjoyed walking throughout town to stop in and say “Hello” to the many people he knew.
Thomas had his own trials and tribulations to overcome and deal with, but was always concerned for the good of humanity. Thomas was a believer that people were “good” and he felt he was fortunate for all of the good people he knew.
Thomas will be missed by many and he truly blessed us all.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents: Dr. Frederick and Jacqueline Rayman Jr.; grandparents: Dr. Frederick Rayman Sr. and Lucy (Thomas) Rayman; Leonard and Beatrice (Keil) Callies; and brother-in-law John Kingston.
He is survived by brothers: Frederick (Miki) Rayman III of Ely and Carl Rayman of Austin, Minnesota; sisters: Sarah Kingston and Laurel (Aaron) Kaercher, all of Ely; nephews: O’Neill Kingston, Hudson Kingston, Dylan (Katie) Overby, Dylan Kaercher, Elijiah Kaercher, Noah Kaercher, Jeremiah Kaercher; niece McCartney Kaercher; and great nieces Taylor and Tori Overby.
Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at Kerntz Funeral Home with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.