Lieutenant Colonel Ray Levias, USAF (Ret.), peacefully departed this life on May 18, 2026, at his home in Tacoma, Washington, surrounded by his loving sons. He was 77 years old.
Ray was born on May 16, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, to Frank and Vernilla Irvine Levias. Raised in Seattle’s Central District alongside his siblings Gary, Nelson, and Joyce, Ray developed the confidence, leadership, and adventurous spirit that would shape the course of his life. Early in his journey, Ray welcomed his two sons, Sean and Sheldon, into the world.
Ray attended Seattle Prep High School, graduating with the Class of 1967. During his years there, he excelled in athletics and student leadership, playing football, running track, singing in the Glee Club, and serving as freshman class president. His athletic accomplishments and leadership earned him induction into the Seattle Prep Athletic Hall of Fame. During his junior and senior seasons, his football team won back-to-back state championships, and Ray individually earned First Team All-Western Conference honors.
At just 16 years old, he joined the Merchant Marines, spending his summers traveling the world between school years. Those experiences helped shape the discipline, courage, and sense of purpose that later defined his distinguished military career.
While attending Southeastern Massachusetts University, now known as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Ray worked for United Airlines before eventually joining the United States Air Force. He earned a degree in Biology with a pre-med focus and later completed his master’s degree while serving in the Air Force. Ray proudly served his country in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished career marked by dedication, leadership, and faithful service. During his years in the military, he completed multiple overseas tours supporting important missions around the world and served as an ROTC instructor, working with students at both Harvard University and MIT. Following his military service, Ray continued his career at the Pentagon, where he worked for nearly two decades before retiring.
Driven by his military service and a spirit of adventure, Ray lived in many different locations across the country and overseas throughout his life. Along the way, he formed lifelong friendships and touched countless lives through his wisdom, kindness, humility, humor, and unwavering sense of duty.
Ray was also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a brotherhood whose principles of leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service reflected the way he lived his life.
During his 49-year marriage to his late wife, Joyce, Ray’s family expanded. He embraced Joyce’s children, eventually adopting her son, William “Tracy” Leary, and welcoming her daughter, Cheryl Lynn Willis. He also shared a special bond with Joyce’s granddaughter, Taaureane Paquette, and took pride in the extended family they built together over the years.
While life’s paths are often complex, Ray found profound joy and a renewed sense of purpose in his later years as a grandfather. Watching his family grow brought him immense pride, and he cherished the opportunities to connect with his grandchildren, finding a special rhythm in this chapter of his life.
In 2024, Ray was diagnosed with ALS. With the loving support of his family, he returned home to Seattle, where he spent his final years surrounded by those who cherished him most. He faced his illness with grace, courage, dignity, and the same quiet strength that had always defined him. Ray passed peacefully, surrounded by those closest to him. Being there with their father, holding his hands as he passed, was one of the most profound and emotional moments of Sean and Sheldon’s lives. While their hearts are heavy with grief, there is comfort in knowing he was surrounded by love, dignity, and family in his final moments.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Vernilla Levias; his brother, Nelson Lee Levias; his sister, Joyce Levias Edmondson; his beloved wife, Joyce Levias; and his stepdaughter, Cheryl Lynn Willis.
Ray is survived by his brother, Gary Lane Levias; his sons, Sean (DeAndrea) Levias and Sheldon (Lucia) Levias; his adopted son, William “Tracy” Leary; his grandchildren, DeAndre, Lamika, JaVon, Cierra, Daija, Anjae, TreSean, Samantha, Diego, Erza, and Taaureane; his great-grandchildren, Egypt and JaeSean; and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The family asks that Ray be remembered not only for his military service, but also for the love, guidance, encouragement, and strength he shared.
Visitation
Friday, June 12, 2026
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
MB Daniel Chapel
714 Central Ave. S
Kent, WA 98032
Viewing
Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Spiritual Blessings Christian Church (Columbia Lakewood Community Church)
5005 S. Ferdinand St.
Seattle, WA 98118
Celebration of Life
Saturday, June 13, 2026
11:00 AM
Spiritual Blessings Christian Church (Columbia Lakewood Community Church)
5005 S. Ferdinand St.
Seattle, WA 98118
