Raymond H. Whitehurst

Whitehurst, Raymond Harris (Ray) 63, of Rimrock, AZ passed away on August 7, 2011. Ray was born February 2, 1948 in Florida and passed peacefully in Cottonwood Arizona. Early on, after his father\u0027s passing, his family moved to Phoenix. Ray attended St Agnes grammar school, North Phoenix and Phoenix Union High Schools. He was interested in architecture and design and had a love of football but his true calling was making just about anything that moved, cars, motorcycles, boats, move faster. He was always involved with racing and engines of some sort. Ray was well known by many for his skill in engine building. He embarrassed many a Corvette owner with nothing but a 2000cc Volkswagen. He owned his own shop, managed others, was a top hand at Ford and Mercedes dealerships and even passed his automotive knowledge on to many young men and women as an instructor in his later years. He was sought out on many occasions for his expertise, even by local greats like Johnny Loper. After moving with his family to Oklahoma, in 1984, Ray toured with a CanAm Motorsports group from Texas, wrenching for and transporting the team. The team took 4th that year. Ray loved the water almost as much as the open road and was never far from a fast boat or scooter to take him there. He scrapped together a jet boat in the mid 70s for a last minute race in Lake Havasu and after winning all the heats, while toasting the victory he responded to one of the high dollar racers that offered to help him improve, EXCUSE ME BUT WE JUST KICK YOUR A_ _. WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO YOU? He couldn\u0027t work without music, mostly the blues, loved the Eagles and boy could he shoot the breeze. Ray may have only been 63 but if you add up all his stories, you would swear he was 100! Gone but not forgotten is that twinkle in his eye, his sharp wit and dry sense of humor, his matter of fact, no BS outlook on life, and the tales of his amazing adventures. MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL. Ray lived longer than his father, Edward, wife and love of his life, Karen, brothers Mikey, William and Ed and his beautiful granddaughter Tori (forever together again). He has left behind his mother, Martha, brother Patrick, daughter Kimberly (Drury), son Ian, six grandchildren, and two nephews, his canine pit crew, Honda, Cinda, Claire and yours truly, his brother from another mother. FREE AT LAST, RIGHT ON BROTHER, RIDE ON. There will be a memorial for Ray on Wednesday, August 31st. For more information or to share your own photos and memories of Ray, please email: [email protected] or call 602-920-2557