F. Ray Rosecrans passed away October 24, 2015, after five+ years of Alzheimers. Ray was born in L.A. May 31, 1919. He graduated from UCLA where he met his beloved 73 1/2-year wife Harriet Stacy. Both were educators. Ray was a teacher and principal. He received his doctorate in education and for many years was the Personnel Director for a school district. Then, the family moved to Bakersfield where he became Director of Personnel for Kern County Superintendent of Schools. He retired in 1983 and returned to Bakersfield after retirement. He was involved in the community, was a distinguished Rotarian of the year and #1 for 20 years. He spoke to a couple of college classes, was in charge and took “Just Say No” to several elementary schools. He was in the auxiliary at Cottage Hospital. He did more help and was an avid tennis player until his last few years.
If there is anything that can be said emphatically about Ray is that he was a kind man. He was always positive, rarely spoke negatively about anyone, and was always very friendly to others. Although he had much to boast about, he never talked about himself. He was a dignified man who exemplified honesty and integrity, and was morally-grounded in his Christian beliefs. In retirement, he followed his self-less service to others by offering thousands of hours of volunteer work at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. The best example of his faith and positive attitude became evident when he and his blind professor friend began a campaign to distribute bumper stickers with the slogan, “Today, I committed an act of kindness — will you?” This is truly what he was all about!
Harriet, preceded him in death November 30, 2015. They are survived by daughter, Terry Ann; son, John and daughter-in-law Monica Rosecrans; 2 grandsons, Jerome and Johnny Rosecrans and (Kasey) Rosecrans, and 2 great-granddaughters, Rio and Miley Rosecrans; nieces, Linda Yeager; Judy Norton, and nephew Robert Norton.
A remembrance was held on Dec. 16, 2018 at the home of his son. Jayne Simon, Chaplain, officiated the ceremony. A scattering of ashes at sea will be observed in a private setting with family.
