Raymond Durant

DURANT, Raymond Harry 'Uncle Ray' - age 75, of Fenton, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Genesys Health Park. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Monday, July 21, 2008 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St., Fenton with Rev. Fr. David W. Harvey officiating. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery in Fenton. The family will receive friends from 2-5 PM Sunday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Outreach or the Uncle Ray Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ray was born July 30, 1932 in Plymouth, the son of Harry E. and Eleanor (Peterkin) Durant. He was a 1950 graduate of Fenton High School and earned his bachelor and master degree from Michigan State University. Uncle Ray remained a staunch Spartan fan and never used the name of the 'team' from Ann Arbor. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during Korea. Uncle Ray married Maryalice Boettcher on July 19, 1958 in Fenton and she preceded him in death on February 18, 2006. He retired from Lake Fenton High School as an Industrial Arts teacher after 25 years of service. Uncle Ray founded Uncle Ray's Dairyland with his wife, Maryalice in 1978 with one recipe, two scoops of Energy and Enthusiasm and two scoops of Friendliness and Fun. This has remained the most important recipe from he and his sons for a continued family business that has been admired by generations. Uncle Ray was a great ambassador to the Fenton Community and was named an honorary member of the MSU Varsity Alumni Club. Surviving are: two loyal sons, David and Steven 'Todd' Durant; his two adoring girls, Todd's wife, Bridget M. Durant and Paula R. Blanford; a very special companion, Sue Weston-Mitchell who devoted her life to him; sister, Marie Harris and husband, Robert; adoring nephews and nieces. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.