POFF, Ray

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, May 01, 2013 Ray Poff On the morning of April 12, the kind and gentle soul of W. Ray Poff departed this world after a long battle with dementia that crippled his mind and his memory but never his spirit, which was loving and vibrant to the end. Ray was born on May 1, 1930 in Elk City, Okla. He brought his family to Glendale, Ariz., in 1957 and relocated to the Wickenburg area in 1985 where he spent his remaining years. His lifelong passions were family and horses. His greatest pleasure in life was being surrounded by family, whether he was exploring the desert he loved so much on horseback with kids, grandkids, or great grandkids, or busy attending youth sporting events, where he was a regular fixture at all of the Mad Cows soccer games. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and decency that touched everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing him, as well as a sense of humor and optimism that kept his beautiful smile intact to the end. He is survived by the Love of His Life, his devoted wife of 63 years, Carol; sons Danny and Butch (of Wickenburg); loving grandchildren Lisa and Deanna (of Phoenix) and Justin and Stephen (of Wickenburg); and great-grandchildren Jason, Andrew, Riley. and Cassidy (all of Phoenix). He was memorialized in a private ceremony at White Tanks Park, where his ashes were spread in the beautiful Sonoran Desert he loved so much and where he made so many memories that those he leaves behind will always cherish.