Walter 'Ray' Waterman

On January 9, 2013, Ray Waterman left this world after a courageous battle with melanoma. Our prayers to alleviate his pain were answered in God’s way, but it doesn’t make missing him any easier. Born February 13, 1947 in Norfolk, Virginia, his family soon moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico. He graduated from Tucumcari High School where he earned all-state honors in football and track. Ray attended Colorado State University on a football scholarship, where he played defensive tackle and long snapper. While at CSU, he met and married Linda Zuidema, his wife and companion for 43 years. After a short stint in Farmington, New Mexico, Ray and Linda moved to Castle Rock, Colorado in 1974—their home for almost 40 years. A shop teacher at Douglas County High School from 1974 to 2002, Ray also coached football and basketball and ran the basketball game clock for many years. He also cared deeply for the Castle Rock community, where he served multiple terms as a Town Councilman and Mayor. Ray was a gifted woodworker and nature photographer who--perhaps to the surprise of some of his football players--saw the beauty in the smallest things. He dearly loved fishing, hunting, shooting, and camping with his sons and their families. In 2011, he and Linda moved to Bozeman, Montana to spend more time pursuing these activities with family. Heaven received a wonderful husband, dad, father-in-law, granddad, son, brother, and friend. Ray is survived by his wife Linda, sons Mike and Jim and their wives Lisa and Rachel, and five grandchildren: Laura, Daniel, Kalli, Tyanna, and Meredith, all of Bozeman. He also leaves behind an amazing group of friends in both Montana and Colorado. His parents, Jack and Roberta, and brother Kenny awaited him in Heaven. A summer celebration of Ray’s life will be held in Colorado. Visit Ray Waterman Life Celebration on Facebook for updates and to share your memories. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks you to hug your husbands and dads, and then go fishing.