Ray attended St. Raphaels Catholic school (K-8) and was an altar boy. He graduated in 1953 from Madison Central High School where he played basketball for 3 years and in his Senior year was Honorable Mention All American in basketball. Ray attended Western Michigan University from 1953-1957 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also enhanced his formal education by earning two Masters degrees at WMU. Beginning in 1957, Ray served as a coach and teacher at Mattawan Consolidated Schools, and after five years, in 1962, he moved to Parchment High School where he was a Guidance Counselor, Athletic Director, and Freshman Basketball Coach over a period of 25 years. He retired in 1987 to continue his work as a Guidance Counselor in sunny Palm Beach, FL. It was Ray's proudest career accomplishment to help students with their educational and personal endeavors. Ray was seen as fun-loving and gregarious, often the "life of the party". He had a warm and genuine compassion for others. His favorite "happy" place was in Florida where he could enjoy the sunshine, jazz festivals by the water, and a round of golf.
Ray is survived by his first wife: Constance Segal; and their children: Todd (Nancy) Arndt, Debra (Daryl) DeVries, and Tamara (William) Schafhauser; his seven grandchildren: Andrew Arndt, Austin Arndt, Lisa Thompson, Davis DeVries, Meredith DeVries, Mitchell Schafhauser, and Harrison Schafhauser; and two great-grandchildren. Ray is further survived by his brother: Richard (Jean) Arndt; and their children: Mindy (Brian) Hensen, Amy (Chad) Hamann, and Mike (Christine) Arndt.
Preceding him in death was his wives: Connie (Longshore) Arndt, in 2010, and Kathleen (Brooks) Arndt in 2021. Ray was seen as a father by his step-children: Scott (Evie) Longshore, Kim (Fred) Allen, and Kelly (Steve Essex) Schincariol; as well as a grandfather to their children. He is also survived by the children and family of Kathleen Brooks Arndt: Robin (Robert) Farrell, Virginia Parnell, and Tim (Leila Sehat) Brooks.
There will be a celebration of his life on Monday (JUNE 27) at Heritage Glen Golf Club, 29795 Heritage Lane, Paw Paw, MI, a place where the family first celebrated Ray and Kathy's marriage. In Ray's honor, the gathering will begin with a private family round of golf, followed by an Open House at Heritage Glen Clubhouse from 12pm-3pm. Buffet lunch will be served at 12:30pm, with special remarks at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Raymond Arndt's name to your local school pantry/educational scholarship fund or local Hospice. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900.
Ray attended St. Raphaels Catholic school (K-8) and was an altar boy. He graduated in 1953 from Madison Central High School where he played basketball for 3 years and in his Senior year was Honorable Mention All American in basketball. Ray attended Western Michigan University from 1953-1957 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also enhanced his formal education by earning two Masters degrees at WMU. Beginning in 1957, Ray served as a coach and teacher at Mattawan Consolidated Schools, and after five years, in 1962, he moved to Parchment High School where he was a Guidance Counselor, Athletic Director, and Freshman Basketball Coach over a period of 25 years. He retired in 1987 to continue his work as a Guidance Counselor in sunny Palm Beach, FL. It was Ray's proudest career accomplishment to help students with their educational and personal endeavors. Ray was seen as fun-loving and gregarious, often the "life of the party". He had a warm and genuine compassion for others. His favorite "happy" place was in Florida where he could enjoy the sunshine, jazz festivals by the water, and a round of golf.
Ray is survived by his first wife: Constance Segal; and their children: Todd (Nancy) Arndt, Debra (Daryl) DeVries, and Tamara (William) Schafhauser; his seven grandchildren: Andrew Arndt, Austin Arndt, Lisa Thompson, Davis DeVries, Meredith DeVries, Mitchell Schafhauser, and Harrison Schafhauser; and two great-grandchildren. Ray is further survived by his brother: Richard (Jean) Arndt; and their children: Mindy (Brian) Hensen, Amy (Chad) Hamann, and Mike (Christine) Arndt.
Preceding him in death was his wives: Connie (Longshore) Arndt, in 2010, and Kathleen (Brooks) Arndt in 2021. Ray was seen as a father by his step-children: Scott (Evie) Longshore, Kim (Fred) Allen, and Kelly (Steve Essex) Schincariol; as well as a grandfather to their children. He is also survived by the children and family of Kathleen Brooks Arndt: Robin (Robert) Farrell, Virginia Parnell, and Tim (Leila Sehat) Brooks.
There will be a celebration of his life on Monday (JUNE 27) at Heritage Glen Golf Club, 29795 Heritage Lane, Paw Paw, MI, a place where the family first celebrated Ray and Kathy's marriage. In Ray's honor, the gathering will begin with a private family round of golf, followed by an Open House at Heritage Glen Clubhouse from 12pm-3pm. Buffet lunch will be served at 12:30pm, with special remarks at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Raymond Arndt's name to your local school pantry/educational scholarship fund or local Hospice. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900.
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