Leonard Ray Allen

Leonard Ray Allen, 82, was born on June 15, 1934 in Rosemead, California. He passed away on October 24, 2016 in Palm Desert, California.

For 40 years, Ray served as a Special Education teacher, Resource Specialist and Fine Arts Coordinator. He first retired in 1993, but found it difficult to stay away from what he loved...."teaching". He continued to work in education and in 2002, the Dubnoff Center named him "Teacher and Administrator Extraordinaire"; noting his unrelenting devotion to children, and exemplary service to the Dubnoff Center and a lifetime of achievement in education. Ray received his Bachelors Degree from Los Angeles State College, Masters from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Divinity from College of Christianity. In December 2002, Ray moved to Palm Desert where he once again dedicated himself to serve as a substitute teacher.

Ray was an exceptional musician and served in the music department of various churches throughout his lifetime. For the past 14 years he was one of the pianists at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church as well as the Bell Choir Director until he fell ill a year ago.

Ray is survived by his daughter, two granddaughters, a grandson, and a great granddaughter.

A Memorial Service will be held honoring Ray's life on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, 47-321 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260. All arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, CA.