Ray was a friend and know Mary Anne as well, and there is a whole lot more to this than what is public. I was with him just a few months ago and was planning to get back with him soon.
He was truly a great guy, and a strongly-committed Christian. Still at his playing weight of 185 and totally ripped. Would run 5 miles in 95 degree heat.
Personally, I think he just couldn’t deal with losing his ability to function mentally.....his whole nature was to be 110% in everything he did, and saw himself being able to do less and less. Don’t know that I’d differ in his decision knowing what he was dealing with and facing.
I cannot speak too highly of him. He was great to be with and all who know him miss him already.
that is really sad.
I had an uncle with Alzheimers who took his own life also during one of his lucid periods.
My uncle was the most animated and greatest story teller of all time . The funeral director, a lifetime friend, really did get the final laugh over his buddy. Dressed him up in those old red longjohns, his hunting boots and hat and his favorite bear rifle.....That was exactly the way Uncle Boyd would want to have been remembered.
I'm with you, if I developed Alzheimers I wouldn't want to have to suffer with it, I'd rather go out my own way.