Ray Leroy Van Horn

RAY LEROY VAN HORN

 Ray L. Van Horn, 79, of Tawas City, formerly of Kingston, died Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Iosco County Medical Care Facility. He was born June 10, 1945 in Sandusky to Theodore and Gladys (Balhoff) Van Horn.

 Ray graduated from Kingston High School in 1963. He completed his undergraduate studies at Ferris State University and received a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Ray began his teaching career at Kingston Community Schools where he taught business for one and a half years. He joined the Tawas Area High School staff in 1970 teaching general business and typing, which eventually was replaced by word processing when computers entered the scene. While there, Ray spent many years in the coaching arena. He contributed seventeen years to the football program, including twelve years as an assistant Varsity Football coach and five years as head softball coach. After coaching, Ray continued his involvement in student athletics as a league official.

 In 1973, Ray initiated the Tawas Co-Op Placement Program. In 1995, he left the classroom to accept the position of full-time Placement Coordinator. This allowed Tawas to run their own programs for Individual Career Education which partnered with area businesses to provide on-site career training, as well as, coordinating related classroom experiences. Ray was instrumental in obtaining funding and community partnerships in the development of Tawas’s vocational and technical programs including the computerized technology lab, the CAD (computer aided design) drafting lab, and assisting with the development and design of the state-of-the-art computer network and labs. This featured the linking of all school classrooms and buildings with Internet service, phones, and computers in every classroom. Ray retired after working thirty-three years in education. He enjoyed fishing and golfing. Ray was a member of the Community Choir, Tawas United Methodist Church, and Oscoda United Methodist Church. 

 Ray is survived by his siblings: Edward (Barb) Van Horn of Port Lenoir, NC; Kathy (Dave) Wice of Saginaw; Paul (Michelle) Van Horn of Deford; sister-in-law, Karen Van Horn of Spring Arbor; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; very special friend, Thelma Whitford and Carole Sullivan. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean Van Horn. 

 Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Kingston Wesleyan Church with Pastor Len Wyatt officiating. Private Interment will be in Kingston Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International or Compassus Hospice. 

 Visitation: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston

 10 a.m.to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Kingston Wesleyan Church

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Kingston