RAYMOND JOHN RANSOM
RAYMOND JOHN RANSOM
Raymond John Ransom, 77, of Merrillan, WI, passed away March 17, 2023, after a short, but courageous battle with ALS.
Ray was born June 5, 1945, at Krohn Hospital, Black River Falls, WI, to Clyde and Anna (Grancorvitz) Ransom. He attended Merrillan and Alma Center schools, graduating in 1963. He was known as an outstanding athlete. He was inducted into the Lincoln Hall of Fame in 2018. He then went to UW-Eau Claire and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and English in 1967.
Ray married Rosemary Sanford in Black River Falls, WI, in September 1965. Two sons were born from this union. Reid and Ryan. The couple later divorced.
In 1977, the family moved from the Twin Cities area back to the Black River Falls area where they owned and operated The Rivercrest Resort. Ray started his insurance career with The Dimmick Agency in 1977. He was successful while working for others in the industry and later while owning and operating his own agencies. After retirement, Ray enjoyed substitute teaching at area schools.
In 1988, Ray married Barbara Windsor (Ladron). Through this marriage, Barb’s children Mike, Julie and Brad were welcomed to Ray’s family. Barb passed away in 2006 after a long battle with cancer.
Ray was well known for his time in public service and served in many capacities during his life and received many awards and recognitions during this time. A few highlights of his service are being on the Jackson County Board of Supervisors from 2010 until 2022, and as the Board Chairman for over six of those years. He received the Humanitarian Award in 2022 from Jackson County Health and Human Services. Some of the others that Ray was a part of are: the town of White Bear Lake Board of Supervisors, Black River Youth Hockey Board, 12 years on the Alma Center-Merrillan-Humbird School Board, Merrillan Village Board Trustee and 12 years as Village president, Merrillan Methodist Church Board, Merrillan Masonic Lodge for many years, becoming Worshipful Master at one time, and numerous other organizations and entities.
Ray was an avid outdoorsman his entire life He truly loved spending his time hunting and fishing with his many friends and his two sons. Whether fishing in Canada, elk hunting in Montana, fur trapping in the local area or deer hunting on the family land that he and his brother Gene owned, he loved just being out there. Ray was able to harvest his last deer during gun season 2022.
Ray helped coach some of his sons’ teams over the years and enjoyed attending high school sports events of any kind.
Later in life, Ray enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will truly be missed and remembered by many.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Anna; brothers Richard and Dennis; and wife Barbara.
Ray is survived by his brothers, Gene (Judy) Ransom and William (Alice) Grancorvitz; sons Reid Ransom (Tanya Lamon), and Ryan (Kimberly) Ransom, Mike (Janet) Windsor, Brad (Erica) Windsor and daughter Julie (Mark) Millis. He is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many extended family members.
In keeping with Ray’s wishes, there will be no burial at this time. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers, to ADRC of Jackson County for the meal delivery program, the Merrillan First Responders or the charity of their choice in his name.
There will be a visitation Friday, March 31, 2023, at the Buswell Funeral Home in Black River Falls, WI, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be a service Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Castle Hill Supper Club, Merrillan, WI, beginning at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.
A Hunter’s Prayer
I pray that I am able to hunt until my dying day,
and when it’s time for my last trip I then must humbly pray,
that the Lord will surround me with all my friends,
to relive all the hunts from the past before entering his great forest at last.
Amen.
Author Unknown