Obituary of Ray Douglas Ferrell

Ray Douglas Ferrell

September 1, 1935 to July 26, 2026

Ray Douglas Ferrell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, went to be with the Lord on July 26, 2026.

Ray was born in Hanging Limb, TN, to the late Clema Mae Padgett and Oscar Byron Ferrell. Ray graduated from Saginaw High School in 1953 and married the love of his life, Patricia Muehlfeld, on June 25, 1955. She survives him. They were married for 71 years.

Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Valerie Rodriquez (2016); his brother, Paul Ferrell; his sister-in-law, Florence Ferrell; and his brother-in-law, Ken Smith.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his son, Mark (Rhonda) Ferrell of Saginaw; three granddaughters, Melissa (Matt) Sawicki of Bay City, Rochelle (Jerame) Kopka of Sanford, and Shannon (Nick) Hunter of Wyoming. Nine great-grandchildren: Julius and Ania Sawicki, Austin, Tanner and Hannah Bourassa, Olivia and Owen Kopka, Cheyenne (Santiago) Montiel, and Megan Hunter. Three great-great-grandchildren: Liliana Rose and Lucia Violet Montiel and Gwendolyn Bricker. Ray’s two sisters; Linda (Dennis) Janke of Birch Run, Judy Keith of Tennessee, his sister-in-law, Marlene Smith, and an uncle, Glen Padgett, who was like a brother to him. Ray also leaves many nieces and nephews as well as his church family.

Ray was an entrepreneur; he owned and operated Valley Drywall for 25 years. Ray enjoyed deer hunting, especially at his family cabin in Cadillac. Ray loved family dinners and holiday celebrations, where he could share life experiences and stories with the grandchildren. He loved to tinker and create things; he had an eye for making stained-glass windows, some of which adorn several local churches.

Ray was very involved in his church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He loved the Lord, believed in the power of prayer, and led a servant life. He will be missed by many.  To sign the online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.