Ray “Radical Ray” Erickson, passed away Saturday night, aged 86. Ray was a great guy and skilled car customizer. Just a real hands on, work it out and make it work kind of guy. He is a legend in the Kansas area and at the very least equal to the famous left coast customizers of the day. He might of been too humble for that, but I’ll say it for him.
Ray gave me pics of his cars to scan when I started the website for the Misfits. He’s worked on a lot of cars, a lot of chops, and he could tell you every detail about every one of them (better memory than me and I’m just over half his age). Check out some photos of Rays cars, magazine articles and cars he has worked on here (I’m sure there are more, especially ones he’s worked on).
The message from Joan read “I want to inform everyone, Ray made his transition last night at 8:40PM. He fought the cancer valiantly, but it was more than he could fight. He passed quietly in his sleep.”.
We knew when we held our Misfits meeting at Rays a couple of weeks ago, it would probably be the last time we see him. I only took one photo that night, it was of Ray and I am attaching it to this post. Along with a picture of his Packard, that I took at our Wednesday meeting on Sep 3rd (It was the last time I saw the Packard out and about) and finally a picture of “The Blade” taken a few years ago at the World of Wheels. That photo has Kaleb sitting on it. I hadnt known the misfits that long and Kaleb wanted to get on it. I of course told him that you cannot touch any of the cars and certainly cannot climb on anything. Ray came along, saw his excitement, smiled at Kaleb and told me to put him up on it. Ray told Kaleb all about it, it really made our day.
We are going to miss you Ray
RIP
The service for Ray will be Sat., Dec 13th
At the Silent Unity Chapel, at Unity Village in Lees Summit, MO. It is at 350 Hiway and Colbern Rd
Visitation at 1:30pm and Memorial Service at 2:30pm
From Tim Mac:
I made a dry run this morning out to the Silent Unity Chapel where Ray’s service will be tomorrow. It’s very easy to find.
You guys will be coming down 50 Hiway from Lee’s Summit and will get off at Coburn Road. You will go right at the light followed by an immediate left to head down Blue Parkway towards the main entrance to Unity Village. (one way road).
Enter through the main gates and follow the sign to the Chapel. It’s right off the base of the big tower.
It had been a while since I had been in Unity Village. It is a very beautiful place and the Chapel is really cool.