Ray Rognes

Beloved father and husband, Ray B. Rognes, 88, passed away Friday, May 3, 2019.
Ray was born on the family farm near Joice, March 11, 1931, and was the sixth child born to Alfred and Jenette (Bye) Rognes. As he grew up on the family farm, surrounded by four brothers and three sisters, he attended country school and graduated from Joice High School in 1948.
In 1950, Ray enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at MacDill, Tampa, Fla.
In June of 1952, he married Loretta Wieman in Alexander. Ray and Loretta had three daughters: Debra, Jan, and LeAnn.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1953, Ray and Loretta returned to Joice, and for six years farmed the family farm. However, in 1959, the call of white sand beaches and warm weather lured Ray and his family back to Tampa, Fla.
Through the years, Ray was employed by Winn Dixie, L.M. Hughey Company, and finally the J.H. Williams Oil Company, which is the company he retired from in 1999.
Ray enjoyed his family, any type of sport, and was an avid bowler until the age of 84. His hobby after retirement was buying used bicycles and then refurbishing them for re-sale.
Ray and his wife, Loretta, were active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tampa, Fla., since 1959. Ray often ushered on Sunday mornings and through the years also served on church council. Ray had a beautiful singing voice and loved singing the hymns. He especially enjoyed bowling on the church’s bowling league.
Ray is survived by his wife, Loretta, of almost 67 years; his three daughters: Debra Pedonti, Jan (Gordon) Rhodes, and LeAnn (Gonzalo) Garcia, all of Tampa, Fla.; one precious granddaughter, JenAnne Pedonti; three sisters: June Bang, Rosella Purcell, and Norma Barville; along with many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Jenette; and his four brothers: Jerome, Ozzie, Byford, and Al Rognes.