shesgotlegs
GT Owner
- Jul 20, 2006
- 1,186
My friend Ray Hofman.
- Thread starter ChipBeck
- Start date
GTJack
GT Owner
Chip
You truly have a gift of capturing the essence of what you write about. A great tribute to a man who obviously was very special and gifted and loving and giving and passionate and ......
Thank you.
You truly have a gift of capturing the essence of what you write about. A great tribute to a man who obviously was very special and gifted and loving and giving and passionate and ......
Thank you.
tpraceman
THEE GT OWNER
Gentlemen,
I flew into Midland yesterday and visited the CAF museum. The American flag is at half staff and the pilots will be flying a missing man formation over Ray's service tomorrow. Everywhere we go when people ask us what brought us to Midland and I tell them we came to attend Ray Hofman's funeral the response is about the same. Everybody in this city knows who Ray is. He cast a big shadow in Midland, Texas.
I'm leaving to pick up Charley in a few minutes. I still can't believe why I'm here. Dammit.
Chip
I flew into Midland yesterday and visited the CAF museum. The American flag is at half staff and the pilots will be flying a missing man formation over Ray's service tomorrow. Everywhere we go when people ask us what brought us to Midland and I tell them we came to attend Ray Hofman's funeral the response is about the same. Everybody in this city knows who Ray is. He cast a big shadow in Midland, Texas.
I'm leaving to pick up Charley in a few minutes. I still can't believe why I'm here. Dammit.
Chip
Triheart7
GT Owner
I appreciate hearing your memories, Chip.
On my way to the Rally in New Orleans I picked up a flu bug. I was feeling too under the weather to take my GT on the track that week. It was disappointing after traveling so far not to go on the track.
After Ray introduced his new cars, Gabrielle and I hung around the center and got to speak with Ray and Janna for a little while. We were both impressed by how down to earth both were. I can now say I am glad that missed that chance to go on the track and instead shared a few moments with an amazing person and his wife.
On my way to the Rally in New Orleans I picked up a flu bug. I was feeling too under the weather to take my GT on the track that week. It was disappointing after traveling so far not to go on the track.
After Ray introduced his new cars, Gabrielle and I hung around the center and got to speak with Ray and Janna for a little while. We were both impressed by how down to earth both were. I can now say I am glad that missed that chance to go on the track and instead shared a few moments with an amazing person and his wife.
THamonGT
GT
Gentlemen,
It's 6:50am on Monday as I type this on my phone. Ray's visitation was yesterday from 3 to 5pm. His casket was closed of course and Janna and the 4 boys were very gracious as they stood for 2 and a half hours to speak individually to over 500 people who showed up. DBK, Shelby Smith, Donny Mac, Mitch Clark, and I (I'm sure I missed some) were some of the GT Forum members present today. John Mihovitz and his wife drove 22 hours from LA to be here. An assembly that spanned from oil field workers to CEO's. I spent time with Janna and all 4 sons. Janna told me she sat down with the 4 boys and they made a list of the amazing things they did with Ray and it was clear that they did more, saw more, and experienced more with Ray in the time they had with him than they could have with anyone else in 50 years and so they were all lucky. I spoke at length with Ray's mom and dad, his brother, and Janna's parents. My final conversation occurred after the visitation was finished.
I stood by Ray alone for some time to have one final talk with my buddy.
Afterward Mitch Clark hosted a huge gathering at his amazing home for hundreds of Ray's friends and family. Late last night Ray's son Dylan went to dinner with Charley and me.
The funeral service is later today.
Chip
It's 6:50am on Monday as I type this on my phone. Ray's visitation was yesterday from 3 to 5pm. His casket was closed of course and Janna and the 4 boys were very gracious as they stood for 2 and a half hours to speak individually to over 500 people who showed up. DBK, Shelby Smith, Donny Mac, Mitch Clark, and I (I'm sure I missed some) were some of the GT Forum members present today. John Mihovitz and his wife drove 22 hours from LA to be here. An assembly that spanned from oil field workers to CEO's. I spent time with Janna and all 4 sons. Janna told me she sat down with the 4 boys and they made a list of the amazing things they did with Ray and it was clear that they did more, saw more, and experienced more with Ray in the time they had with him than they could have with anyone else in 50 years and so they were all lucky. I spoke at length with Ray's mom and dad, his brother, and Janna's parents. My final conversation occurred after the visitation was finished.
I stood by Ray alone for some time to have one final talk with my buddy.
Afterward Mitch Clark hosted a huge gathering at his amazing home for hundreds of Ray's friends and family. Late last night Ray's son Dylan went to dinner with Charley and me.
The funeral service is later today.
Chip
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SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
THamonGT
GT
What a beautiful service with a tremendous message from Janna and Rays Pastor. On line broadcast was like you were sitting there. Prayers to Janna, his boys and family and friends.
Thanks Tommy for sharing the link, in fact it was a beautiful service, watching the video resuming his life gave me goose bumps.
God bless his family
Pierre
God bless his family
Pierre
txviper
GT Owner
- Dec 31, 2007
- 613
Chip, This is Shawn Beard. It was good to see you today. I only wish it were under different circumstances. The last time we saw each other we were at Rays hanger
sweeping 10,000sqft and arranging Rays cars to get them at the perfect angle,lol
I am going to miss that guy.
sweeping 10,000sqft and arranging Rays cars to get them at the perfect angle,lol
I am going to miss that guy.
tmcphail
GT Owner/Vendor
That was one of the best I have ever witnessed. Leslie and I sat here and watched/cried through the entire service.
GGPatterson
GT Owner
Chip, thanks for sharing all those memories. Very cool. It was great to briefly chat with you today about Ray's love for yellow. During my GT hunt I can specifically remember an email from Ray instructing me to buy yellow, when I was dead set on red. Many months later a yellow GT found its way into my life and now I wouldn't want any other color. He will forever be a part of my GT.
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Piccola
GT aficionado
Thanks for sharing all those stories and memories Chip. I know he was very close to you and Charley. I've always enjoyed hearing about Ray's adventures and have been amazed at how much he has done, particularly with flying, in such a short time. Prayers go out to Janna and their sons.