Raymond Jay Pater, age 75, passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2026.

Ray was born on February 12, 1951, in Baarn, the Netherlands, to Cors and Margaret Pater. Named Reijer Pater at birth, he spent his first five years in post-war Holland. His parents then immigrated with their eight children to the United States, settling in northwest Indiana thanks to the generous support of a local pastor.

In 1972, Ray met the love of his life, Marcia Huizenga. They married in 1974, and for 52 years she was at the center of everything he cherished. Together they built a home known for its welcome and laughter, a life rooted in faith, rich in friendship, and full of family. Ray was a devoted and fun-loving husband, father, Opa, and friend to the end.

Ray practiced law in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Holland, Michigan. He appreciated and succeeded at both the intellectual and interpersonal sides of the law, advocating passionately for the clients he served.

Ray loved traveling, biking, reading, and spending time with loved ones. He and Marcia were blessed with a close network of lifelong friends with whom they traveled extensively and shared many happy memories.

For Ray, faith was not just something to profess, but something he lived. A longtime member of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, he served on various community boards and committees and invested significant time mentoring individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship. Ray measured success not by accomplishments or possessions, but by faithfulness to God, devotion to family, and the relationships he cultivated throughout his life.

Ray is survived by Marcia; his children, Jason (Kari) Pater, Joshua Pater, and Rachel Pater (Jess Powers); and his grandchildren, Arend, Rowan, Dashiell, Wilhelmina, and Holland.

He is also survived by five siblings: Adrian (Joy) Pater, Tony Pater, Claire (Gary) Turner, Casey (Laura) Pater, and Margaret (Mark) Franklin; his sister-in-law, Kathy Pater; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Carol (John) Strick, Louie (Cindy) Huizenga, and Debbie (Dave) VanTatenhove; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cors and Margaret Pater; his sister, Betty Stammis, and her husband Bernie; his brother, Calvin Pater; his sister-in-law, Ruth Pater; his parents-in-law, Charles and Cora Huizenga; and infant triplet daughters (Rebecca, Sarah and Lisa).

Both at home and while traveling abroad, Ray and Marcia were attuned to the struggles of those less fortunate than themselves. They befriended people experiencing homelessness in downtown Grand Rapids, and, in 2025, visited a ministry for children living in abject poverty in Egypt that they had long-supported financially. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to www.DegageMinistries.org (serving the homeless of Grand Rapids) or www.StephensChildren.org (Mama Maggie's ministry in Egypt).

Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 16, 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, June 17, 11:00 am, at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI.