BESCH, Raymond (Ray) John

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona February 15, 2003 Raymond ("Ray") John Besch, 77, our loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2003 in Mesa. Ray was born in Cleveland, OH on April 26, 1925. He was educated at Fairview H.S. and Penn College, and proudly served in WWII in the 8th A.F. 351st B.G.S. Group, flying 26 missions over Germany. Basic training in Yuma instilled in him a love of the desert, and he moved his family to Tempe in 1972. Ray worked as an accountant and electrical estimator, but his lifetime passion was golf. Ray is survived by his wife of 57 years, Connie; children Bonnie (Gene), Patricia Dickson (Dan); Daniel (Cyndi), Bill (Jeniel), Barbara Cleary (Denny), Teresa Hudson (Terry), and Donna Allen (Mike); his 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray will be remembered at a memorial service on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 am at Bunker's University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family greatly appreciates donations to Hospice of the Valley East Mesa IPU, 6063 E. Arbor Ave. , Mesa 85206 or Hospice of the Valley General Fund, 1510 E. Flower, Phx, 85014. We love and miss you dad, but we are comforted by knowing that in Heaven, every drive is a hole in one! Courtesy of Pat Wilson.