Raymond David Clare (10 Aug 1944 - 22 Jan 2025)

Money given to me by various friends of Rays at the funeral.
Many thanks for all the donations made including some by cheque made directly to the air ambulance. Phil.

Fond memories

RIP Uncle Ray, thinking of the Clare family at this difficult time.

Ray you will be missed
Fellow C.Bryant and sons craftsman, we always had a laugh and chat on the many characters in the building trade we’d met.
Whilst walking up hill and down dale you couldn’t really beat strolling with Ray.
Always putting a smile on everything,well until walking with Linda and Bryan Bull one time when Bryan brought out a an ancient toblerone out of his rucksack to share with us and then Bryan suddenly bailed out to go back to the billet with stomach pains….followed by a race to the nearest toilet the chocolate must have been 20 years old…RIP old friend 🍺🙏

Following on from Stephen’s tribute to Ray and his sayings, my favourite, if ever one of us asked, was ‘are we going the right way?’, his response would be ‘if it was that easy anyone could do it!’ Many’s the time I drive past a church and remember us stopping there midway through a walk for the coffee break rest. After many an enjoyable Wednesday day out, I hope you have found a suitable bench to sit on and reminisce with both John and Bryan. Fond and happy memories of an exceptional and well-liked Ray.

A very sad loss of a dear friend of over 65 years and godfather to my son

Janet and family £75.00

Ray Clare

Our family connections go all the way back to childhood memories. Over the years Ray has brought so much fun, joy and happiness to our family celebrations, day trips and weekend breaks.

Ray will be so deeply missed by all that knew him, the positive atmosphere and outlook he brought to all occasions.

Good bless you Ray

Janet & family

One of life's gentlemen
We always enjoyed his company when he visited Donegal
May his lovely soul rest in peace 🙏

Thank you Ray for the many miles that Vin and have walked with you. Rain,snow,mud and sunshine ❤️❤️

Stephen & Denise Edkins

Ray Clare

There are no words to describe the grief and pain at the loss of such a wonderful person as Ray Clare.

We first met Ray through Folk Music at the various Folk Clubs and sessions held in and around Tamworth. Indeed Ray became a strong member of the Committee at Tamworth Folk Club and served as Secretary. He was also heavily involved with the running of Tamworth Folk Moot.

However, our deeper and more lasting friendship with Ray was through Rambling, Walking and Hiking. The Tuesday night walks from various local Hostelries became an institution and although we were all supposed to take it in turns to organise the walks, it was invariably Ray who sorted out the walks, the pubs and got the info’ circulated to everyone.

Then of course there were the annual trips to Ireland. Ray aided and abetted by John Donaldson would decide on the locations and the various walks and excursions and of course the pubs in the evening for our music sessions (where Ray’s spoon playing became legend). We particularly enjoyed these Irish trips because the only decision we had to make was what to put on our plates in the evening! Ray thought of everything else.

There were quite a few of Ray’s sayings that we recall with fondness from these walking groups:

“The hardest part of these walks is finding your way off the Car Park.”
“You’ll have done most of the climbing when you get to the top.”
“Don’t be putting all of yer weight on yer feet.”

Ray’s sense of fun always shone through and we remember the time on one of these Irish trips when Ray said: “Look at that giant Frog”.

He was referring to the shape of the Mountain.

The Irish called the shape: “The Sleeping Soldier”.

In recent years, Ray had been most helpful to us acting as Driver and Support on some of our long-distance cycle trips. Notably: “Coast to Coast (Way of the Roses)” and “Devon Coast to Coast”. At various points on these routes, we’d turn a corner and there would be Ray, on the side of the road, parked up with the kettle on and a most welcome brew.

Ray was still his positive and joyous self the last time we saw him when we went to visit him at George Eliot Hospital. He was smiling through the pain but still enjoying the craic and having a good old chin wag with us.

We’re so sorry we can’t be with you today to celebrate the life of Ray Clare and our thoughts go out to all his Family and Friends who, like us, will forever mourn Ray’s passing. We will raise a glass (or several) to him later today.

In memory of a dear friend who will be sadly missed. Bob, Maureen & family xxx

What a wonderful friend to me was Ray. I'm still finding it hard to come to terms with his death. He always seemed to me to be set for a much longer life.

We have fond memories of Ray. May you rest in peace. Kay, Mark and Linsey (Borth)

Rest is peace Ray.
From Danny, Mary and family.

Helicopters. Very apt Raymond

Funeral arrangements
Woodlands crematorium Tuesday 11th March
11am. B46 1DP.
Wake at Christopher's Tamworth 12.45pm
B79 7DL