Raymond Harlan Livesay
June 19, 1950 ~ May 24, 2015
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Raymond Harlan Livesay, 64, passed away at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on May 24, 2015 from complications of metastatic head and neck cancer. Ray was proudly born and raised in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
He graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High, and studied at East Carolina and the University of North Carolina before receiving his law degree and passing the bar in the State of California. He reinvented his professional life many times, starting as a stage hypnotist in Eastern North Carolina, and finishing as the owner of WNCR-LP television in Rocky Mount. He was dedicated to giving those in the community without a voice the opportunity to be heard. Always a master of technology, there was nothing he couldn't study, design, construct, connect, or repair. His personal life expanded with his marriage in 2001 and travel to 18 countries and several states followed. He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2008. We are thankful for the team at Rex Cancer Care who were formerly with the Cancer Center of North Carolina and their efforts which brought us seven more years of adventures. Ray was a good husband, son, brother, and friend. Stories of his impact on our lives will be long remembered.
Ray is survived by his wife, Nancy Schwarm Livesay, of Zebulon, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Harriett Lamb Livesay, and his brother, John Carlton Livesay.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Bishop Van Sharpe officiating. A burial will follow the service at Pineview Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 5/28, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 5/29, 1:00 pm
Cemetery
Pineview Cemetery
761 N. Raleigh Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
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Lit a candle in memory of Raymond Harlan Livesay
Ray was both a client and a good friend. I worked with him for many years on the development of his television stations. His spirit was always an inspiration to anyone he met. He will be very much missed. Peter Tannenwald
Lit a candle in memory of Raymond Harlan Livesay
Ray, thanks for all you done in the community, you will truly be missed. your technical knowledge and skills were an inspiration to all who knew you. God Bless your family through this difficult time. LBlue
Lit a candle in memory of Raymond Harlan Livesay
I feel so blessed to have known Ray as a friend. Such a wonderful and gentle person. My life is enriched because you touched it. I will always remember your fun spirit and adventurous stories. You will be missed. Nancy, our love and prayers are with you. I pray that God will wrap his arms around you and give you peach and comfort. Rob & Bobbi Stanley
Nancy – I was very sorry to learn of Ray’s death; please accept my sympathy. I met Ray while you and I were both serving on the Food Bank Board. Ray was always very cordial when we met and his early death is a great loss. Best regards, Ash Pipkin, Raleigh.
I knew Raymond when we were both studying at East Carolina University. He was a unique and gentle soul. I then accidentally encountered him years later when he was a hypnotist. Still a very unique and special person. God bless you all, and may he rest in true peace. Rebecca Woolard Peffer, Loveland, OH
I am sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Although I hadn’t seen Ray since leaving the WHIG-TV studios some years ago, I always knew Ray had his hand in some technical adventure. I worked with Ray and the late Herb Herbie Greenberg for quite a while at the TV station. He always had a story to tell and was always very technical with everything he did. A real entrepreneur at everything he did. RIP Ray.
We met Ray and Nancy on their honeymoon in Italy, and we’ve loved them ever since. We traveled by boat around Venice and went to Harry’s Bar together to have a Bellini. Great times! Michelle and I will miss Ray’s fabulous smile and that incredible charm. I always felt lucky to be able to connect with both of you when you traveled to Vegas since you always had such a full schedule. Whether we were talking about Magic, or Hypnosis, or technology, Ray was so much fun to just hang out with. He will be missed by a great number of friends. Big love to you Nancy! Steve and Michelle Valenti – Las Vegas, and Macau
Ray, Herbie and Mark…the Sultans of Swing. I think of you every time I hear that song. Guitar Mark you still out there The Humane Society, the shows, the Riches to Rags Tax Day party, eating chili at the Waffle House in the middle of the night. We spent part of our twenties together and have a lifetime of memories. Yours and Herb’s just wasn’t long enough! Fair travels my friend…
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Yes…Ray’s amazing spirit, his smile, enormous sense of humor and his hugs. All these will be missed but cherished in my life forever. Love you Nancy xoxo Michelle
Lit a candle in memory of Raymond Harlan Livesay
You are in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time in your lives. May you feel the presence of God every day in your lives. He will help you during this very heart breaking time of grief. In Gods word the Bible, we are given many words of comfort. One of these is Rev. 21 3,4 It tells us that there is coming a time when death will be no more, neither will pain, sickness, all these things will pass away. What a wonderful time that will be.
I met Ray in 1976 when he and Ralph the I 95 Piano Man Sutton were running Continental Entertainment out of Rays moms house. I will forever be grateful to Ray and Ralph for taking a chance on a brash kid and teaching me the events promoting business. Ray was a problem solver, a man that never gave up on what he wanted to achieve. In many ways Ray existed both far before his time and long after his time. His interest in variety arts entertainment was infectious.