Obituary of Ray Edward Rector

Ray Edward Rector After a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, he passed away on July 26th at his home in Lexington at the age of 84. He was born in Berea, KY, and his family moved to Lexington when he was 8 years old. His father worked in the laundry at Good Samaritan Hospital. His mother was a homemaker and seamstress. Attended Henry Clay High School and the University of KY, where he majored in music, playing the trumpet. He did his graduate study at North Texas State in Denton, TX. Music played a major role in his life. He played in the Central KY Youth Orchestras (CKYO) and was a student conductor for the group. It was through the CKYO that he met his future wife, Linda, a string bass player. They were married for 61 years. Many UK football fans remember the numerous times Ray was a one-man pep band, playing his trumpet at the away games. He also played in the alumni band, and in 2009 was honored for over 50 years of participation in the UK Alumni Band Association. He was employed by IBM from 1957-1964, then began his real estate career with Dan Long Real Estate. In 1969, he started his own company, Ray Rector Realtor, and soon grew the firm into a leading real estate company in Lexington. Pat Hayden became a co-owner of the company, and in 1980 the firm’s name was changed to Rector Hayden Realtors. Rector Hayden Realtors grew and expanded to cover all of Central KY, with 7 offices (Lexington, Georgetown, Paris, Nicholasville, Versailles, Winchester and Richmond) and over 430 agents. The firm also featured specialized Relocation, New Construction, Commercial and Auction Divisions. In 2003, Rector Hayden Realtors was sold to HomeServices of America (a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate). Ray continued as President of the company until his retirement in 2009. Ray chaired various committees of the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors, and was named Realtor of the Year in 1976. He served on the Board of Directors and was elected President of the Association in 1978. In 1999, he was again named Realtor of the Year (with Pat Hayden). He also served on the Board of the KY Association of Realtors and was an Advisory Board Member of the Real Estate Leaders of America. After his mother was stricken with Alzheimer’s Disease, Ray dedicated a large portion of his life to assisting and supporting the University of KY Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. He served for many years on the Center’s Foundation Board, as Chairman for 3 years -- and also as Chair of the Annual Dinner committee. Ray was instrumental in introducing members of the community to the Center on Aging, and helping to grow its research programs. He was also the Founding President of the Lexington/Bluegrass Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, and was named Director Emeritus in 1991. Ray’s additional work with charitable and community organizations included: • Lexington Chamber of Commerce – Vice President and Board of Directors • Bluegrass Kiwanis Club -- President (and awarded “Life Fellow”) • United Way Campaign – Chairman • Lexington Philharmonic – Board of Directors • Lexington Arts Council – Board of Directors • UK Alumni Club – President • Central KY Youth Music Society – Director • Southern Hills United Methodist Church – Chairman, Administrative Board Ray is survived by his wife, Linda; sons Keith and Scott; grandchildren Adam, David, Lauren and Jordan; and 5 great-grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held this Tuesday, July 31st at 7pm at Southland Christian Church on Harrodsburg Road in Theater 81. In honor of Ray’s dedicated commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association, memorial gifts would be greatly appreciated to the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at PO Box 34184, Lexington, KY 40588, or the KY Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.