Ronald Ray Hart, age 83, passed away on February 26, 2026, in Burien, Washington. Ray is survived by Carla, his beloved wife of 58 years; daughter Ranette, sons Carl and Matt; son-in-law Jay; daughter-in-law Katie; and his cherished grandchildren Ivo, Mary Kate, Luce, and Louis. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, caregivers, and friends.

Born October 7, 1942, in Tacoma to Henry A. Hart (Frickartz) and Bunnie V. (McKinney) Hart, Ray spent his childhood moving around Eastern Washington until the family settled in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Ray was proud to share stories of his father's life as an immigrant and his maternal family's struggles with life in rural eastern Oregon. He was also so grateful for his two older sisters, Patty and Donna, from his father's first marriage.

Always the new kid at school, Ray loved escaping to the movie theater. This helped shape his lifelong fascination with the stories of the lives of the people he met. Ray also enjoyed dance, performing tap and soft shoe in local productions. He delivered newspapers and was an amateur magician, saving the money he earned for his college fund. He taught himself to play the stand-up bass and performed in rock-and-roll bands around the area. Ray graduated in 1964 from the University of Idaho, taught for two years in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho, then moved to the greater Seattle area. He met Carla while both were teaching in Carnation, Washington. After a short engagement, they married at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in February 1968.

Ray taught at North Hill Elementary and Olympic Elementary, in the Highline School District. Ray and Carla raised their three children in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood of West Seattle throughout the 1970s and 80s. They were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and both served for many years on the board of High Point's Holly Co-op Preschool. In 1992, Ray, Carla, and their son Matt moved to Maui, where they spent 27 years in Kihei. Ray taught at Kihei Elementary and Kamali’i Elementary School. Ray and Carla were active parishioners at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Ray participated in the island’s Knights of Columbus, earning the rank of Fourth Degree.

Ray served as president of the Highline Education Association, Maui district president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association-Retired, and chair of the Hawaii Special Education Advisory Council. He also served as chair of the executive board at the University of Washington College of Education and as chapter president of Phi Delta Kappa. He was especially proud of helping establish Maui’s first public charter school, a vision he worked on for many years alongside Carla and friends.

In the fall of 2019, Ray and Carla returned to West Seattle to be closer to their grandchildren. Ray was diagnosed in 2021 with suspected Lewy Body Dementia and later moved to Burien Senior Care, an adult family home. The family is especially grateful for the compassionate caregivers at Burien Senior Care, each of whom offered patience, warmth, and devoted care that made his final years safe and loving and brought peace of mind to his family over the last 4 and a half years.

Ray will be missed most for his kindness, curiosity, and loyal devotion to friends, family, and education. All are warmly invited to join Ray’s family at his funeral or over the OLG livestream to mourn his passing, celebrate his life and continue the joy of sharing stories that he loved so much. 

Services
A Funeral Mass will be held on April 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7001 35th Ave SW, Seattle. A short reception will follow immediately after Mass in the Walmesley Center, located across from the church at 3410 SW Myrtle St.

A Committal Service will be held at 2:30 PM at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, 205 NE 205th St, Shoreline.

In honor of Ray's love for his life in Maui, Aloha wear is welcome.

You can find the livestream link and visit his guestbook at https://www.emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/ronald-ray-hart. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kihei Charter School, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, or the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.