April 8, 1964 ~ September 8, 2022 (age 58)
Ray was born and raised in Yeadon, PA, where he attended Saint Louis Grammar School. The 1982 Monsignor Bonner High School graduate enlisted the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1984 and served honorably for over 22 years.
As a photojournalist, Ray’s Air Force journey included Vandenburg Air Force Base (AFB), CA, Charleston AFB, SC, Osan AB, South Korea, and Rhein Main AB, Germany. During his time in service of his nation, he deployed in support of the following operations: SUPPORT DEMOCRACY, RESTORE DEMOCRACY, PHOENIX SCORPION, DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, the Cold War, the Kosovo Conflict, Sarajevo, and Tanzania.
He photographed Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and famous bands and musicians such as Judas Priest, Tool, Scorpions, Santana, Audioslave, and his favorite band—The Cult. Ray even became good friends with Judas Priest’s lead singer, Rob Halford, and The Cult’s lead singer, Ian Astbury.
An outstanding photojournalist, Ray joined the most elite organization called Combat Camera, where he captured images of worldwide disasters, wartime operations, multinational military exercises in order to provide invaluable visual historical records. He even flew in various fighter and cargo aircraft and took aerial photos of F-16s, B-52s, KC-135s, C-17s, KC-10s, and NASA’s Endeavor shuttle while it was being transported.
Although he’s had to carry out many dangerous missions, the highlight of his career was his trip to the South Pole in July 1999. Master Sergeant Ray Conway was a part of a 23-member crew that flew to one of the darkest, coldest, and isolated places on Earth. Their mission was to airdrop medical supplies needed to save a very sick woman’s life. He made the Delaware County Daily Times and came home safely to his loving family.
Ray retired in 2006 and moved to Korat, Thailand, with his wife and sons while his daughter was in college. He loved Thailand and lived there until 2014 when he came back to Prospect Park, PA. His passions in life included music, hockey, world travel, and photography.
Ray is survived by his loving mother, Mary, and older siblings as well as his wife and three children: Am, May, Charlie, and Raymond.
Relatives and friends were invited to a Visitation 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Logan-Videon Funeral Home, 2001 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008 followed by his Funeral Service at 12:00 PM. Interment at a later date.
Rest In Peace my brother!