RAYMOND "RAY" DEWITT
 
    Raymond "Ray" DeWitt, professional musician, passed away peacefully in 
his sleep, at home, early Saturday, December 11th, 2004.  Ray was 73.  He was a 
resident of Colorado Springs since 1959.  Retired USAF MSGT, after 23 years of 
service, performing with the Ceremonial Band at Bolling AFB, NORAD, and Air 
Force Academy Bands.  Retired from School District 11 after 20 years of 
service, Artist in Residence at Colorado State University - Pueblo until December 
2004.  Ray was a member of many associations, including the Broadmoore Jazz Club, 
Colorado Springs Symphony, Colorado Springs Contemporary Jazz Band and Pikes 
Peak Jazz & Swing Society to name a few.  He was presented numerous awards 
including "Best Musician 2001" by the Pikes Peak Arts Council and his most 
chershed "Alice Award", presented in 2002 by the Pikes Peak Jazz & Swing Society.  
He performed extensively in many parts of the world as both a classical and 
jazz instrumentalist in flute, clarinet and saxophone.
    Ray was born in Chicago, IL January 3, 1931, the second son of Alfred and 
Eula Mae DeWitt.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Earl.  
He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Aurelia Quander DeWitt, his 
children:  Toni Norris (Johnnie), Elaine DeWitt, Catherine Haynes (Anthony Lee), 
Mary DeWitt-Byrd (Hal), John DeWitt and Michael DeWitt;  his grandchildren:  
Nicole and Michael Haynes, Jordan (Danielle), Joshua and Jeremy Norris, and 
Davis Byrd; his great-granddaughters:  Tatianna and Iliana.  Other relatives and 
many, many friends, students and colleagues will also miss him very much.  
    A mass and celebration of Ray's life will be held at Holy Trinity 
Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Drive, in Colorado Springs on Friday, December 17th 
at 2:00p.m.  A reception will follow immediately in the church gym.  Musicians, 
kindly bring your instruments.  We be jammin'!
    In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray's name can be made to the Colorado 
Springs Contemporary Jazz Band scholarship fund for the encouragement and 
development of young jazz musicians.