Raymond Stuart Fletcher

On February 15, 2017, hours before his 96th birthday, Raymond Stuart Fletcher grabbed his golf clubs in search of heaven's perfect golf course. With sadness we announce Ray embarked on his next great adventure leaving behind his loving family, many friends, and a life well lived.

Ray was born February 16, 1921, to Jasper and Helen Hazel Kirk Fletcher joining his older siblings, Alan J. Fletcher and Helen Adele Fletcher Crandall.

Ray married Marian Davis and together they reared two daughters, Kristina Fletcher Burton (Ken) and Kathleen Fletcher Weiler (Tim). Although Ray and Marian divorced, they remained good friends until her passing in 2010.

His early years were spent helping his grandfather plant corn on the family land that later became Wasatch Community Gardens on the corner of 8th South and 6th East, one of the first of many community gardens in Salt Lake City. Ray's early summers were also spent at the family cabin in Vivian Park in Provo Canyon.

Ray attended East High School, the University of Utah, and Harvard Business School where he earned an MBA. While at the University of Utah, Ray was affiliated with Sigma Chi and ROTC. He served in WWII in the Army Quartermaster Corps in Europe and Japan. He retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel having served additional years in the Army Reserve after his active duty.

With his MBA in hand, Ray joined his father in the real estate business, Fletcher-Lucas Investment Company. Although selling real estate interested him, valuing the properties became his passion. Ray became a commercial real estate appraiser with the distinction of being one of the  first with an MAI designation in Salt Lake City. He was proud of his work, he was professionally respected, and was an expert witness in many court cases.

Ray was a member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Salt Lake Country Club, and Desert Island in Palm Desert. He loved travelling the world, a good round of golf, and a scotch and water at the end of the day.

In his  final years, Ray loved nothing more than to sit on his patio soaking up the sun, watching the birds and golfers go by, and Sunday dinners surrounded by his family.

To say Ray was a consummate gentleman is an understatement. He was truly one of a kind – a proud member of the Greatest Generation who touched our lives with his kindness, love, humility, and generosity.

Along with his daughters, Ray leaves behind his grandchildren, Katie Burton Nelson (Jake), Andrew Fletcher Burton (Toshiko), and Jeffrey Scott Weiler, and great-grandchildren Kennedy Nelson, Macy Nelson, and Hanna Burton.

The family is grateful for the exceptional love and kindness from Ray's caregivers during his  final years. A special thank you to Sheila, Marcia, Mary, Jan, Bonnie, and Emer. Our thanks also go to the wonderful, caring staff at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah, where Ray spent his final months.

A private family graveside service will be held. In lieu of  flowers, please give to the charity of your choice or Wasatch Community Gardens, 824 South 400 West, Ste. B127, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

To further research in Alzheimer's and dementia, Ray participated in the CACIR Gift to Life program at the University of Utah.