Ray Wan
July 12, 1975 ~ June 17, 2020
Raymond Wan, 44, of Evansdale, formerly of Pearl City, Hawaii, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a recent illness. Celebration of Life Services and Inurnment will take place at a later date in Honolulu, Hawaii. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is caring for Ray and his family.
Survivors include his beloved husband, Keone Kobylanski-Wan; parents, Gerald and CherylAnn Wan of Hawaii; sister, Angela Wan of Alexandria, Virginia; grandmother, Barbara Pratt; in-laws, John Wilson and Deidra Barbee; many siblings-in-law; many aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; many cherished friends; and beloved Boston terriers, Laka and Kane.
Raymond Chin Tai Wan was born July 12, 1975, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Gerald and CherylAnn (Ahuna) Wan. He graduated from Pearl City High School in 1993. Ray became a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines, a perfect fit for an outgoing and friendly guy to assist travelers, interpret more than five languages, and visit many locations across the globe including Tahiti, New Zealand, Japan, New York, and especially Hawaii. He retired in November 2019 after 23 years. Ray met Keone Kobylanski online, and after a short courtship, he was hooked. They married on December 16, 2013, in Honolulu.
Ray enjoyed spending his time eating food, tailoring his sumptuous palate to appreciate many perfect meals. He loved enjoying different dishes, many times a day, and sharing that love with his family and friends'unless it was fast or junk food, which he would avoid. Ray was intelligent to no end: a photographic memory, an ability to pick up a new language in no time at all, and the skill to play piano, trumpet, and French horn created his love of conversation and music. Ray lived well and did exactly what he wanted, whether it was traveling or spending precious time with Keone and the dogs at home. He was a great friend, keeping in touch with everyone. Ray's outgoing, expressive, and generous mentality will be missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; paternal grandfather; and father-in-law, John Kobylanski.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
One of my fav pics. Papi with his Uncle Ray ❤️
Aloha from New Zealand – Ray truly is a wonderful and special spirit – may he rest in love, and shine his light on his family and friends. Aroha nui Ray, you will be missed but not forgetten.
Ray Ray…. the day you called me and told me you had decided to retire would’ve been the last time I spoke to you. You were so excited to close the chapter on your airline life to begin a new one being retired. I was so happy for you. I was sad to see you leave the islands, but I knew you had a plan and never doubted it. You sounded so happy and you had everything already in placed with Keone. I will miss you tremendously…. most especially your inadvertent BURPS, followed by an “excuse”. You were a character for sure and you have touched so many lives. Congratulations on being promoted to our guardian angel in the sky❤️❤️❤️. If you see me looking out of an airplane window please wave ok? Love you my friend.
Brother Ray. I met you on a flight to Tahiti. I was new, and you were very patient. Thank you for taking me out and translating for me on our layover, no one else was willing to do that. So blessed that this was just the first of many layovers with you. You were outrageously funny and outgoing, you were animated and witty. I will forever miss your sarcastic candor and smile. Cheers to you brother. Try to stay out of trouble in Heaven. Rest in Love Brother. Aloha ‘Oe
My dearest buddy 😪 when I opened up Facebook my heart dropped and tears started to fall. It was a pleasure knowing such a BIG HEARTED PERSON and someone I could call a friend/brother. I will miss you a lot, but I have so much fun memories and pictures of that fabulous personality of yours. You will never be forgotten 😭❤ Warmest ((HUGS)) to Keone and the family. RIL my dearest buddy Ray. Love you!
Ray the man that always had your back. Honest, loyal, funny as hell and would take anyone on. Up for anything and new how to enjoy life to its fullest. Eating, sleeping, burping and ATM fun 😉 was just a few off the things he enjoyed doing. Someone always there when you just had to talk. Loyal to the Love of his life his best friend, lover and husband Keone❤️ You my Ray the man will always be with me. Love you❤️ (Will never forget jumping on the bed in Vegas just because we could)and (Calming my nerves when Sheldon did his first Japan with you, texting me a don’t worry he will be fine)(deciding to move on and start a new chapter of your life with the man you loved)man I can go on and on. You will be missed but I know you hitting some jackpots in the sky. RILove
I remember you as such a life loving person. I don’t remember you without a smile. Although it’s been years since I last saw you, you’ve always been remembered fondly. Fly high and happy friend.
Always Smiling. You will be greatly missed Ray
😢Ray was like a big brother to me at Hawaiian, making sure I was taken care of when I first got hired, my go to for advice and questions, and overall a great friend. But our bond spans a time over 20 years when he was living in San Jose and dating my best friend Eric. Many nights out partying and comparing flight attendant stories while I was with NWA. We lost an amazing person who will forever be remembered. Fly with the angels Ray and condolences to your family. We love you ❤️
To the Family of Raymond Wan, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Much love and aloha.
Ray, only met him a few times whilst working at Rydges but he sure knew how to light up a room with his charisma. Always had good things to say and never had a dull moment. May the memories and love be everlasting
So many memories with you my Piggy…from hanging out at Diamond Head Beach to our SFO vacay with Sonya to tearing it up on our Tahiti layovers. You will always be in my heart and I will cherish having lived life with you! 🌷
My love RayWan, Although I’ve known you almost 22 years, I’ve only flown with you once. It’s definitely a flight I will never forget. We flew HNLLIHLAX-RT (767) and you got called in for double time and went FFA and I was so blessed to be your FA8 🤗 I was still on probation so I was afraid to bring my phone out #iykyk to take a picture of us but I’ll never forget that flight. We laughed, cried and just walaau the whole time 😆 You saw my hands were cracked and you gave me your cream you bought in SYD. That’s what I’ll always remember about you, you were such a giving person, Always Malama. A Hui Hou my love 💕 fly ✈️ With the Angels 🤙🏼😘
We will miss Ray so much. He was so much fun to be with 😭😭😭
I will forever cherish the New Years layover we had in Seattle. You were always there for us “newbies”. Always witty and never judging. Totally a one of a kind type of person and the life of the party! Kind and caring. Sweet and soulful. As unique as can be. I wish you weren’t gone. I love you Ray.
Ray, Ray, Ray OH YEAH!!! The world is a little less funny, crazy, impulsive, generous and kind without the presence of your spirit. This is not a goodbye, just a farewell. We will all be reunited one day…🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
Ray was one of those people that you love to fly with. I enjoyed the flights we did to Auckland. He was a caring, thoughtful flight attendant and friend. His quirkiness, his laugh was contagious. He was one that was always there if you needed help. Ray will be missed by his many friends at Hawaiian and by me.
Ray my friend you are a one of a kind FRIEND. You always made me laugh and cry. You took the time to talk and listen. I never thought the last time I’d hear your voice would be your phone call telling me you’re retiring and moving on with your life. My heart aches hearing that you’re gone. Just know that we love you. Rest in love and aloha- soar high and soar free ❤️✈️
RIL Ray❤️I will never forget one of my first flights to Haneda when you introduced me to the most delicious strawberries! In fact, you were so generous to buy me some to take home to share with my boys ❤️ You took the time to show me around and spent the whole day with me. I had so much fun and will never forget that day as it was the beginning of a great friendship and many more memorable trips with you I’ll never forget! I will miss you my friend. Love you Ray ❤️
I was on your first flight ever at HAL. I was the most junior. Or so I though – Lol. You and Donetta had both been called in to the double in double out LAS. I kept insisting you and Donetta were senior to me. I think we went round and round for a few minutes until you guys told me you had just graduated. I was so stoked!! Hahaha. When we landed in LAS you wanted to gamble – SHOCKING! We were staying at the Main Street Station and you convinced me to go with you to look at the Fremont Experience and then go gamble. Of course no one believed you were over 21 years old and ding dong you forget your ID (passport) in the room. I had to wait for you at the casino while you ran back and got it. Since I don’t gamble I just hung out with the newbie FA all night. You ended up doing well and insisted on giving me a $100 since I was your lucky charm (you drove me nuts because you wouldn’t take no as an answer). For years afterwards your nickname for me was “lucky charm”. No. You were my lucky charm. I love you Ray and I know you’ll always be with me watching over me like you promised…..
Ray, he was so gracious, he was so generous, he was so fearless in the face of it all. It’s almost like he had a backbone strong enough for us all, and a fuller than life expression of love, humor, and light. I will forever cherish the genuineness, love, light, generosity, and humor Ray showed me in the handful of times we shared. Although they were only a handful of times, they defined a lot of my faith in people. Sharing love to his loved ones, may he fly with the angels. May he fly with angels in eternal peace. Thank you Ray.
Some wonderful memories with Ray
Keone – you made Raymond so happy and completed his life.
Uncle Ray, You will surely be missed!!! We love your smile and big heart !!!! Love always your nieces, Kealohi and Leialoha Kyle!
My dearest Ray ❤️ You’ve always been like another son. So full of life laughter excitement. All of your Canadian, Air Canada, Hawaiian Ohana will truly miss you. Thank you Dear Ray for sharing your friendship with me. Never forgotten. Always remembered with your smiles helpful giving ways 😘.
Ray, before you made the move to Iowa I now realized all the people you had called to thank for all the years when first you received your wings to fly. Of course we didn’t want you to leave but you were adamant about making the move,who would have known from our last conversation that you would be leaving us to become an angel. My heart is heavy and I am still in disbelief. I will forever miss our outing to the casino. You worked hard and played hard at the same time made everyone laugh. You were just that fearless crazy nut and had a infectious laugh that lighted up the room. Always a phone call away. So very dependable. May you be that angel to watch over your Ohana and comfort them with always. Mahalo brother for sharing yourself with us all and forever we will share your stories of our layovers.
Although we hadn’t known Ray for very long, he made us feel as if we had been friends forever! The first day I met the guys Ray walked right up and gave me a BIG hug, not knowing I really needed a hug that day! I will be forever grateful for getting to know such an amazing heart and soul! He real be greatly missed! I want to thank his parents for raising such a loving man. Until we meet again, RIP Ray! Love, Larry and Mary (next door neighbors)
I didn’t know you long, but you were awesome to work with! May you RIP❤
I’ll always miss you dear friend—-exceptional soul.
Every time I burp or fart I smile because it reminds me of you. That’s often. Rest in love Ray. I’ll see you in the high roller room! Lisa
You were an inspiration to the world and will be sorely missed.
Rest easy in love brother! You will be missed. May this tree grow branches as wide as the lives you touched. See you you again someday…
“They lived and laughed and loved and left. And the world will never be the same” James Joyce.
What an honor it was to care for Raymond during his final days. It was such a blessing to meet his family and hear their wonderful stories about Ray. Ray and family – you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Many blessings to all of you Mary Ann – PCT Unity Point Hospice
MaryAnn, Thank you so much for taking care of my brother. You all have been so kind to my brother and our family. With love, Angela
We love you so very much Ray! You were a RAY of Sunshine! Always putting others before yourself, very family oriented and so fun to be around. I still cannot believe that we lost a beautiful person and will forever have you in our hearts and miss you!
I Love and miss you my little Boy. You brought so much to my life Roos. I will forever be sad but I know that you are with God and helping Him with things in Heaven. Roos U will forever be missed and loved. I can’t hear your laughter, see you infectious smile, feel your hugs , hear your text messages or your calls especially when I am driving to work and you call and say Mom I can’t see you fix your phone so I can see you while you are driving. Thank you for the many plane rides on Hawaiian Airlines my parent passes for 23 years, and all the trips that you and I went on together. Who is going to call me and say Mom can you take a few days off to go on a trip with me tomorrow it’s just for a few days. No one is going to do that anymore. I Love 💕 you so much Roos Mom
So sad
To a beautiful boy, my nephew Raymond Wan. I will miss our face time conversations but mainly you. Thank you for spending time with myself and your cousins, it is time we will all cherish.
I miss seeing you at work so much. You made it so much more bearable to be there and maybe everyone you came into contact with laugh. You will truly be missed Ray. We love you so much ❤
My brother was visiting me in DC; it was around his birthday July 2004. I took him to Filomena Ristorante in Georgetown. After dinner, we headed back to my place in the city. Ray was on the phone with one of his friends, I was parallel parking into a very tight spot right in front of my house, and I noticed a guy walking down the street with a bandanna covering his face and a hoodie. It seemed odd because it was hot out, and there was no reason for all those clothes. Next thing you know, the guy pulls out a gun and tries to rob the Chinese food delivery guy across the street from my house. OMG, I start panicking, mind you this is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone get robbed at gunpoint right in front of me. I tell my brother to put his seat down just in case the guy starts shooting, as I try to pull out of the parking spot. Thankfully we made it out safely. This was one of the best and craziest nights I had with my brother. Love you Ray.
you deserve a whole forest luv.
Raymond its been 1 year 1 month and 19 days since your left all of here. Life has never and will never be the same without you. So many wonderful memories you left me and i treasure them everyday. You always called, Text & came over to visit me, always spending time at our home where you grew up and eating the food, we loved it when you came by especially with your little buddies Laka & Kane. They miss you so much. I visited them last month and stayed in your home with Keone and your buddies and they still sleep on your side of the bed. They really do look for you still. I was sad to have left them and Keone but i needed to come home. I remember you told me when you called me for Mothers Day in 2020 you said mom look what i bought for you Peonie Plants, Tulips & Daisy’s when you come to visit me you and i can make a garden for you. I said yes we can do that. You where not there this spring for me to plant things with. I miss you so much my Fun Loving Son. Mom
Roos this past Friday made 2years 9months since you left us and went home with the Lord.
I miss you every day. Some days are harder than others. Birthdays Mothers Day and your Birthday and the day you passed June 17, 2020 at 6:47am.
The Lord gave us 44 years with you. We loved all your craziness, visits and all the goodies you would bring for dad and i from Japan & Auckland. You always said mom don’t forget to share with dad.
Love you forever I miss you everyday.
Love 💕 Mom
Good morning Roos, 3 years ago we where in IA with you in the Hospital and it was so hard to just see you laying there not able to move or talk, eat, laugh, smile. I prayed so much for you and that the Lord would do a miracle in your life and bring you back 100% but on June 17, 2020 at 6:47am the Lord said no and i had to let you go that day. Its been really hard on me i try to be happy. I remember all the good and crazy things you did,. said and had me make for you on the last minute you would call or come over to my house and say mom can you make this and i would ask you when do you need this and you’d say today or by tomorrow, i would say what and you would tell me mom you can do it. I’ll Love you forever Roos. I’ll visit you again this coming Sunday 6/4 with Puakenikeni leis and flowers. Love Mom