Edward Raye Obituary

Raye
EDWARD V. RAYE
October 6, 1955 April 20, 2021
Edward V. Raye was born to Billie and Betty Raye on October 6th, 1955 in Romulus, New York. Ed was a Colorado Springs' resident for 58 years. Ed graduated from Mitchell High School in 1973. While attending high school, he was in the McDonald's All American Band in which he played at the Rose Bowl Parade. During the parade, he was presented with the All American Band Award by the famous Miss Betty White.
Ed went to attend Trinidad State Junior College where he received his Associates degree in education in 1976. Two years later, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo. Ed was married to Madelaine Vesely in July 1984 and they had one daughter together, Christina and helped raise his stepchildren, Rozalind and James. They divorced years later.
Ed began his career at Women's Resource Agency. From there he went on to Chins Up Youth and Family Services where he worked for 20 years as a family therapist. Ed finished his career serving as Regional Director for US Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado). Politics was Ed's true passion next to the desire to mend families. Ed remarried Christine Mackenzie Johnson in July 1996 and they both adopted James and continued to raise both, Christina and James. They later divorced and Ed continued to be a single father.
Ed was also the Chairman for the Youth Democrats of Colorado Springs. Ed was a proud and lifelong member of the NAACP. Ed was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Award in 2007. Ed was elected member of the Democratic National Convention from the 5th Congressional District. Ed attended both inaugurations for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in 1993 and 1997. Ed was the
Chairman of the El Paso County Democratic Party. Ed was also honored to attend dinner at the White House with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Ed was an attendee at the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1992, Boston 1996 as well as a Super Delegate in Los Angeles in 2000. Ed ran for State Representative for House District 17 in 1996.
In Ed's spare time he had a massive collection of JFK memorabilia that he displayed at the Pikes Peak Library District. Ed had a love for photography, tennis and shooting hoops. Ed loved to sing karaoke and dance. Ed also had a jovial sense of humor not everyone got to see. Ed loved cooking, his specialty being his famous stuffed mushrooms and every party was complete with a mimosa. Ed's biggest love was his eternal love for his daughter Christina. Ed had a patient of a saint, always carrying himself with integrity, compassion and honesty with a regal air.
Ed is preceded in death by his father, Billy E. Raye and his mother, Betty J. Raye. Ed is survived by his daughter, Christina Charles (Roberto Charles); son, James Eads; stepdaughter, Rozalind Henderson (Shane Henderson); his beloved grandchildren, Malik (Ed's mini me), Mireya, Malia and Mia; brothers, Alvin Raye, Roland Raye (Jacquelyen Raye) and sister, LillieAnne Hall (Peter Hall).
Ed will be missed not only by his community, but also his friends and loving family.
Visitation will be held on April 29th, 2021 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Angelus Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory located at 1104 S. Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910. Funeral Service will be held on April 30th, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Angelus Chapel. Interment will be held on May 3rd, 2021 at 10:00 am at Evergreen Cemetery located at 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.