Ray Tomlinson

MADISON - Ray Tomlinson, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
Ray Tomlinson was born on Christmas Eve in 1922 on a farm near Poynette, WI.
During the Depression his family left the farm and moved to Madison. They settled in a house near Tenney Park where Ray quickly discovered the joys of swimming and ice skating.
Ray graduated from East High School and briefly attended the UW-Madison before volunteering to join the war effort where he served in the Pacific Theater as an
Officer in the US Army Air Force. After the war he returned to the UW to complete his undergraduate studies and to receive a law degree. He always spoke fondly of his years as a student, including his time as housefellow at the Gillman Residence Hall.
In 1951, Ray married his college sweet heart, Marion Johnson, and began his law career in Superior, WI.
Ray and Marion moved back to Madison in 1952 where he joined the law firm of Arthur, Dewa, Nestingen & Tomlinson. He ultimately became the senior partner, practicing law in Madison for over 40 years.
Ray was active in many organizations over his lifetime including: The YMCA, The Urban League, The Rotary Club, The Bombay Bicycle Club, The Madison Ski Club and one of the founding members of the Christmas Eve Birthday Club.
He was a natural born athlete participating in an array of sports including hockey, boxing, tennis, biking and most importantly skiing. He taught skiing at Devil's Head Ski Area for over twenty five years. Ray traveled with Marion and the family to ski areas across the country and in Europe. Ray was also was one of the pioneering participants of "heli" skiing in Canada during the 1970's. His final ski run down the slopes of Colorado was at the age of 86.
Ray is survived and will be greatly missed by Marion, his wife of 62 years, and his four children: Jan, Mark (Meredith), Cari (Ray) and Jay. Ray was a wonderful and loving grandfather to: Ariana, Joshua, Kelton, Josef and Marisa.
The family wishes to thank the medical team at Agrace Hospice Care, especially Dr. Kim, nurses Mary, Alice & Robin and our social worker Rebecca.
Contributions can be sent to the Agrace Hospice Care Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.
A celebration of life in Ray's honor will take place in June.

"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave"