Gaylord Ray Seay, “Ray”, loving husband, father, “grampa”, friend, teacher and coach, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 74 on October 27, 2021.
Ray was born in Loma Linda, CA to Clinton Seay, Sr. and Marjorie Seay on December 14, 1946. His family moved from Santa Barbara to Ventura in1956, where he attended Will Rogers, Cabrillo, and Buena High Schools and where he met the love of his life and future wife, Wendy Reinhart. They met as he was was recovering from a concussion on the sideline of a Buena football game and Wendy was Buena's bulldog mascot, Spike. Wendy’s love of sports paralleled Ray’s, which enriched their relationship through almost 55 years of marriage, where she was the rock of their family.
He also formed many lifelong friendships in high school, including Steve Tobias, Brandt Jackson, and Gary Hails. Ray was one of the fastest runners in southern California at that time, setting a record at Buena in track that still exists (200-meter dash, converted from 220 yards, 21.5 seconds). Ray also caught the first ever touchdown pass against cross-town rival Ventura High School in 1963 and played in the first Ventura County All-Star Football game. At Buena coaches Hank Ertman, Bill Wood, and Mason Parrish had the biggest effect on him as far as goal-setting and attitude toward direction in his life. He attended Ventura College and was a member of the 1965 Ventura College championship football team under coaches Jim Moore and Bob Long. Ray continued his education and football career at Fresno State on a football scholarship for the Bulldogs under coach Darryl Rogers. Ray received his Masters Degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1979.
After graduating from Fresno State in 1970, Ray accepted a teaching and coaching position at Clovis High School. After coaching football for one year in Clovis, Ray was recruited by Buena’s first principal, Arleigh McConnell, to return to his alma mater as a teacher and coach. While his athletic background lead him to football and track, he was persuaded into becoming an assistant boys’ water polo coach and head wrestling coach. He coached wrestling for 14 years with two Channel League championships, including coaching a state champion in 1976, John Smithson. Despite having never wrestled, Ray had become so well-versed in the sport that he was selected as the staging manager for the wrestling venue at the 1984 Olympic Games. He also served as the Buena boys’ track coach for 15 years and cross country coach for 13 years where he led the team to four channel league titles. Ray also was an assistant football coach at Buena for 10 years. He taught physical education, health science, peer counseling, and biology throughout his 36 years at Buena and taught strength training and conditioning at Ventura College for 20 years. He was the linebacker football coach at Ventura College for three years. He was known for his warm smile, kindness, positive coaching style, how he cared so much for others, and doing things the right way that was an inspiration to so many of his students and athletes. As a crowning moment, Ray was on the steering committee for the Buena stadium project that opened in 2004, and is the home of the school’s football, track and soccer programs after decades of effort.
Ray always made family the number one priority and was creative in work-life balance, with memorable vacations, like Squaw Valley, in destinations near his sporting events. His daughter, Tami, loved riding the team bus with her dad any time she could, including memorable trips to Morro Bay. Both of Ray’s children grew up in the Buena gym and football field watching their dad do what he loved. They were fortunate to witness first hand why so many loved and admired their dad. Ray had many memorable trips and sporting events with his son, Scott, which included a backpacking/fishing trip with Gary Hails in the Eastern Sierras, annual trips to Palm Springs with Steve and John Tobias, USC football games with Arnie and Kevin Saul, fly fishing trips to Colorado with his grandson Cade and son-in-law Mike and Yellowstone, annual Vegas Super Bowl trips, a trip to the 2016 Ryder Cup with Scott and Steve and John Tobias, and a last Dodger game at the 2019 playoffs with his son Scott and family Kellie, Brynn and Kierstyn. Ray was also a strong supporter of his daughter Tami and son Scott, who both played basketball and volleyball for Buena, as well as his grandchildren who all enjoy sports.
In retirement, Ray’s priority continued with family, as he focused on spending time with his wife, grandchildren and caring for his grandson Brady. He helped his daughter Tami coach cross country at Portola Elementary School. Cade, Riley and Brady each had the privilege of being coached by Grampa. Ray inspired his grandson Cade to run track and cross country at Buena following in his footsteps. Just before Ray’s passing, granddaughter Riley was crowned Homecoming Queen in the stadium that Ray advocated for. His wife Wendy was able to be in attendance to see this very special moment. Ray took pride in the precious moments he would spend with each of his grandchildren. He was always “present”, the most patient, listening ear in the room. All five grandchildren knew they were loved. Ray also enjoyed golfing weekly with his cronies Glen Hannah, Gary Rigsby, Jim Morgan, and the late Bill Allmen. In 2008, Ray and Wendy also had a memorable trip to New York, attended the US Open and cruised up to Quebec. In 2014, Ray and Wendy spoiled the family by taking them to Maui, Hawaii. Ray increasingly suffered from dementia, for which his wife Wendy stood strong by his side, cherishing their everlasting love for one another. Ray was lovingly cared for by his family, especially son-in-law Mike who was on-call 24/7 to provide love, help and humor.
Ray is survived by his wife Wendy of Ventura; daughter and son-in-law, Tami and Mike Hertenstein of Ventura; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Kellie Seay of Camarillo; grandchildren Caden, Riley and Brady Hertenstein and Brynn and Kierstyn Seay; sister Cheryl McCalister of Ventura; nieces Shawna Seay Hill, Kim
McCalister, Melissa Seay Luna; and nephews Eric and Mike McCalister.
Ray was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Seay, his father Clinton Seay, Sr., and brothers Clinton Seay, Jr. and Wayne Seay.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to: “Buena HS Ray Seay Memorial Fund” and mail to: Buena High School, 5670 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003.