Ray Allen Dumas

With hearts full of sorrow, love, and pride we share the passing of our beloved Ray Dumas, who left this world on July 10th after a long and courageous battle with liver cancer. He is our hero, strong, stoic, and endlessly compassionate. Though Ray struggled in a body that betrayed him, even in his final months he remained heroic. He sought opportunities to spend time with the family he cared for so much. Ray brought light to everyone who knew him. He was thoughtful, funny, deeply empathetic, and wise. He listened more than he spoke. He gave you his smile and lit up the room, even when he was hurting.

Ray was born in Provo, Utah to Darlene Andrews and Raymond Dumas. He was raised in Magna, Utah by Darlene and Eldon Burke. He loved his parents and supported them through their lives. It was through them and the VFW in Magna that he met his wife, Michelle, whom he loved so deeply and built a beautiful life with. Ray experienced a lot in his life. He was an endless forgiver, especially of himself. Even though he struggled for years with addiction, he rose above it and excelled. He became a fixture with the First Step House organization that helped him build a new life. He ran, improved, and spent hours perfecting their lab for almost 18 years.

He became an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. Ray lived for planning camping trips and bringing the whole family along to have fun. He found joy in teaching the younger kids in his family to fish. He caught Kokanee salmon at Strawberry. He and Sophie caught a tiger trout, a beautiful fish. He caught a big fish at Rockport in an ice fishing competition. He had a Facebook post on Fridays he called “selfie fishing Fridays with his father-in-law Jim. He had almost one of every outdoor adventure machine you could think of to enjoy it with family.

He lived for football NFL, Miami Dolphins were his team for over 55 years. He went to a home game in their stadium for his honeymoon trip in Florida. He also loved Utes Football. He bought some season tickets for a few years. He loved it when his brother-in-law would come in the fall and they would throw a big tailgate party and go to the game.

He enjoyed mowing his lawn and keeping the yard in tip-top shape. He was a very thoughtful neighbor and provider of outdoor yard care for Ryoko Blum until he was no longer able to. He added permanent outdoor lights and changed the colors for all holidays and occasions, thank you Parker.

He explored new places and tried new activities. He jumped out of a plane for his 55th birthday, went deep sea fishing at 59, rafted until the sunburns on his legs blistered, went jeep rock crawling in Moab for his 60th birthday, and ziplined in Las Vegas. He rode the catapult at Lagoon with his cousin, Clint. He lived for anything that gave him an adrenaline rush. He planned a trip to Lagoon for the entire extended family when he was given the diagnosis of terminal cancer. He was very happy at Lagoon and grateful everyone had fun.

Ray was diagnosed with primary cell liver cancer in 2021. He underwent everything the doctors suggested to treat it. He was in remission until 2023 when It became a silent force that slowly eroded the structures of his body weakening them until they could no longer do what they were built to do. Ray would have loved to have become free of his disease. But in the end, the one thing he regretted was not having met Michelle sooner in life. He wondered about a life where they had made less mistakes and had less complications. But Ray had no choice but to endure. And he did it all with resilience and grace.

Ray is finally free. He is free from pain, free from limitations and free from the silent disease he learned to hide so well. Ray was the best husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend anyone could ever want. He made us all better, but he could no longer carry his burden.

We are all so very honored to have had wonderful Ray in our lives; forever he will be missed, forever he will be with us in memory. Ray’s legacy already lives on. His name is on the lab where he worked for nearly two decades. He taught us to be present and loving to each other. He will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

Ray was preceded in death by his biological father Raymond Dumas, his mom, Darlene Andrews Burke, his dad, Eldon Burke, his sisters Billie Jo Doty, and Kelli Burke; his father-in-law James K. Chadwick and mother-in-law Vickie Richens.

Ray is survived by his wife, Michelle Richens, his sisters, Tina (Michael) Norton, Anita (Doug) Belt, Dora Colby; his brother, Dennis Burke; brother-in-law, Alfred LaFave (Steve Mills); sister in law’s Jackie Yamaguchi, Andrea Anderson (Lisa Gull), and Frankie Anderson. Nieces and Nephews: Misty (Raymond), Michelle, Amanda, Samantha, Darrin, Kristina, Jax, Sophie, Kim, Matt, Becky, and Shelby. Great nieces and nephews Mackenzie, Parker, Shay, Leah, Maci, Michael. Many aunts, uncles, and friends.

We would like to thank the staff at Huntsman Hospital and Huntsman at Home, which includes CNS staff for their care. Michelle is so grateful for all our family and friends’ support during this time.

In lieu of flowers please take yourself and family or friends to do something memorable. We have learned we only have a limited time on this earth to make a difference in the lives we touch.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM; same day family visitation from 9:30-10:00 AM; at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East Bountiful, UT 84010. Please wear your favorite team sports attire to the service at Ray’s request. Interment to follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery at 1342 East 5th South Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.