Ronald "Ray" Hart

Ronald “Ray” Hart

Ronald Ray Hart, age 83, passed away on February 26, 2026, in Burien, Washington. Born October 7, 1942, in Tacoma, Ray was predeceased by his parents, Henry A Hart (Frickartz) and Bunnie V (McKinney) Hart, his brother Michael, and his sisters Patty and Donna. He also lost good friends Jim, Carl, Joy and Junius in the years prior to his death.

Ray is survived by Carla, his beloved wife of 58 years; daughter Ranette; sons Carl and Matthew; son-in-law Jay; daughter-in-law Katie; and his cherished grandchildren Ivo, Mary Kate, Luce, and Louis. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, caregivers, and friends.

Ray’s childhood included many moves throughout eastern Washington. His family eventually settled in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Ray was used to being the “new kid” at school, which helped shape his lifelong love for storytelling. He was fascinated by the lives of everyone he met.

As a teen, Ray took tap dance classes and was an amateur magician, performing locally to earn money for college. He taught himself to play the stand up bass and was in rock-and-roll bands with friends.

Ray graduated in 1964 from the University of Idaho, taught for two years in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho, then moved to the greater Seattle area. He met Carla while both were teaching in Carnation, Washington. After a short engagement, they married at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in February 1968.

Ray taught at North Hill Elementary and later Olympic Elementary, in the Highline School District. Ray and Carla raised their three children in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood of West Seattle throughout the 1970s and 80s. They were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

In 1992, Ray, Carla, and their sons Carl and Matt moved to Maui, where they spent 27 wonderful years in Kihei. Ray taught at Kihei Elementary and later at Kamali’i Elementary School. Ray and Carla were active parishioners at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Ray participated in the island’s Knights of Columbus, earning the rank of Fourth Degree. Ray enjoyed unwinding from his busy life with regular walks with the family basenji, Maile, and good friend Stan.

Ray served as president of the Highline Education Association, Maui district president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association-Retired, treasurer of the education nonprofit South Maui Learning Ohana, a negotiator for the state teachers’ union, and chair of the

Hawaii Special Education Advisory Council. He also served as chair of the executive board at the University of Washington College of Education and as chapter president of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional association for educators. He spent many years as an active board member of the Holly Co-op Preschool in West Seattle. He was especially proud of helping establish Maui’s first public charter school, a vision he worked on for many years alongside Carla and friends.

In the fall of 2019, Ray and Carla returned to West Seattle to be closer to their grandchildren. Ray was diagnosed in 2021 with suspected Lewy Body Dementia and later moved to Burien Senior Care, an adult family home.

The family is especially grateful for the compassionate caregivers at Burien Senior Care, each of whom offered patience, warmth, and devoted care that made his final years safe and loving and brought peace of mind to his family over the last 4 and a half years.

Ray loved stories and good conversations with friends, a practice he came to know after moving to Maui as “talk story,” the Hawaiian tradition of sharing experiences, history, and wisdom. He especially loved to hear the stories Ranette, Carl and Matt told him about the adventures they experienced in the world. Above all, he treasured time with Carla, both in their travels, as his partner in their busy lives, and over quiet time at home. He drew comfort from her loving presence throughout his battle with dementia.

Ray will be remembered most for his kindness, curiosity, and loyal devotion to friends, family, and education. All are warmly invited to join Ray’s family at his funeral or over the OLG livestream to mourn his passing, celebrate his life and continue the joy of sharing stories that he loved so much.

 A Funeral Mass will be held on April 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7001 35th Ave SW, Seattle. The livestream link is here. A short reception will follow immediately after Mass in the Walmesley Center, located across from the church at 3410 SW Myrtle St.

A Committal Service will be held at 2:30 PM at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, 205 NE 205th St, Shoreline.

Aloha wear is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kihei Charter School, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, or the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

Please share memories & photos on the guestbook, located below.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle