Raymond James Kenyon

Raymond James Kenyon, 65, of Wabasha, MN passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2025 in Rochester, MN surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born May 7, 1960 in Bellows Falls, VT to Leon W. and Barbara (O’Leary) Kenyon. He moved from Bellows Falls to Alstead, NH around 1966 and then to Saxtons River, VT in 1974. He moved to Alplaus, New York during high school, graduating from Niskayuna High School in 1978. Ray joined the US Navy, serving aboard the USS William V. Pratt (DDG-44) until his discharge in 1984. He married Brenda W. Wray on May 1, 1987 in Indiana. He worked for Marathon Fuels in Indianapolis until his medical retirement. He moved to Wabasha, MN in 2001 where he remained for the rest of his life. Ray loved animals, especially his long time 4-legged companion Farley. He enjoyed telling stories about his childhood and his time in the military. He loved fishing and being on the Mississippi River on the pontoon boat. He loved to read and also enjoyed meeting people. He was a volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s, delivering mail and packages and odd jobs while he was a resident in the Care Center. Ray was a Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, spending many hours talking to his dad while both were watching the same game. Family was very important to Ray. He was especially loved by his many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a great great nephew. Ray was preceded in death by his mom (1984), dad (2022), wife (2022); uncles Carlton (Pug) Kenyon, Willard Kenyon, Robert Culver, and Donald Rees; and aunt Linda (O’Leary) Barnaby. He is survived by his siblings, Sharon (Gary) Schmalzriedt of Jacksonville, AR, Kimberly (Edmund) Mack of Grafton, VT, Leon (Michelle) Kenyon of Cape Coral, FL and Beverly (Normand) Gagnon of Milford, NH. Also, his stepmother, Patricia (Saunders) Kenyon of Saxtons River, VT; aunts Alice Culver, Christine DeCamp and Julia Stetson of Bellows Falls, VT, Judy Kenyon of Grafton, VT; uncle James (Chris) O’Leary of Wake Forest, NC and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Elizabeth Care Center in Wabasha, MN for all the support they provided to Ray during his lengthy stay there. Donations may be made in his name by check to: Pets for Vets, Inc., PO Box 10860 Wilmington, NC 28404 or online at: https://petsforvets. com/donate/online. A Celebration of Life gathering was held at St. Elizabeth’s in the Geraina Room on Friday, November 14th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. A private burial will take place at a later date in Bellows Falls, VT.