Ray Cusworth, longtime resident, prominent banker and civic leader, went to be with his Lord on Jan. 8, 2008, at his home on West Beach in Oak Harbor. He was surrounded by his loving family, as he was much of the time since the passing of his wife and the love of his life, Gay, in May of 2007.

He was born June 5, 1924, in Seattle to Earnest X. and Mabel Vaughn Cusworth.

Ray was raised in the Roslyn/Cle Elum area of Washington, which is probably where he got his country music leanings, and graduated from high school there. At about the time Ray got out of high school, World War II was getting started so he signed up for the U.S. Navy and was sent to the South Pacific Theater to work with Naval Intelligence.

It was during the war years that Ray met Gay Hanson, who was working as a nurse at Everett General Hospital. They were married in November of 1943.

After his duty with the Navy had ended, Ray, instead of taking a trip around the country, started to look for employment. Within a week, he walked into the office of Everett Trust and Savings bank and after an afternoon’s interview he was told to start the next day. Over the next few years, he progressed from bookkeeper to cashier to loan officer. In 1950, Ray and his young family were sent to Oak Harbor where he served first as a loan officer and later as the assistant manager. In 1964, he became the branch manager and in 1973 he was promoted to regional manager for the other branches in the area.

Ray was so much more to the Oak Harbor community, which is evidenced by his being named “Citizen of the Year” in 1966 for his outstanding service to the community. Over the years, he distinguished himself as Lions Club President, City Councilman, Navy League President, Navy League National Director, Chamber Of Commerce President, Fourth Of July Chairman, Planning Commissioner, Chairman, Director or Treasurer of Red Cross, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, United Way, USO and so much more.

Ray is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Suzie Hofkamp with husband Virgil of Anacortes, Mary Mansfield with husband Steve also of Anacortes, and Nancy Berner with husband Dr. Gary Berner of Oak Harbor. He also leaves grandchildren Troy Hofkamp with wife Kim, Tami Lay with husband Matt, Dana Berner, Colin Berner and Kyle Berner and Tony Hofkamp (son of Mary Mansfield) and great grandchildren Cody and Kelsey Hofkamp, Amanda, Jerrod and Makayla Lay and Ayden Berner.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at St. Stephens Anglican Church in Oak Harbor on Friday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. with Father Paul Orritt presiding, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Whidbey General Hospice or The American Diabetes Association. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.