Raymond Marler Haslam, 89, of Logan died Wednesday, November 20, 2013, of natural causes, surrounded by his cherished and loving family.
Ray was born September 2, 1924, in Lewiston, Utah, to Joseph Kerr and Zetta Marler Haslam and spent the early years of his life on the family farm. He graduated from North Cache High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education and Composition and a doctoral degree in Educational Administration, all from Utah State University. On March 21, 1947, he married his sweetheart Jackee Benson in the Logan Temple.
Ray’s entire life was focused on and dedicated to his family, church, and to education, both as a teacher and principal. His family, neighbors, friends, students, and faculties were the beneficiaries of his lifelong unconditional love and matchless caring. His universal friendliness, wisdom, and warm smile were shared with all whom he met, and his devotion and service to others were hallmarks of his life and legacy.
He proudly served his country with his enlistment during World War II in the Navy and subsequent service in the United States Marine Corps, in the Pacific Theater.
He served his faith as a lifelong, dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving a mission and in many different callings including, among others, High Councilor and Bishop. His most cherished church service was with Jackee, as officiators for 10 years in the Logan Temple.
Music was his gift, and he shared that gift with countless others. His legacy left with the music program in Logan City Schools remains vibrant today. While director of music for the district, his orchestras performed at a level of excellence to where they were invited on concert tours to Europe, Japan, Mexico, and China, as well as Honolulu, Las Vegas, Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
As an educator and principal, he structured the transition of Logan Junior High School to Logan Middle School and in 1984 was recognized for his work by President Ronald Reagan, who presented him with the “Excellence in Education” award in a White House ceremony recognizing the 100 best schools in America.
He was preceded in death by his wife, sister-in-law Shirley Haslam, great-granddaughter Makena Burton, and his parents. He is survived by four children, Craig (Sue) Haslam of Ogden, Kevin (Kristie) Haslam of North Logan, Mark (Lisa) Haslam of Salt Lake City, and Shelli (Dean) Hunger of Kaysville. He also is survived by 16 loving grandchildren and 30 cherished great-grandchildren, as well as three brothers, ClaVel (Shirley) Haslam of Providence, Marlan (Pat) Haslam of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Larry (Priscilla) Haslam of Logan, and one sister, Carol (Ray) Lucherini of Logan.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, November 25, at the Hillcrest 2nd Ward chapel, 875 N. 1500 East, in Logan. Family and friends may call at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center Street, on Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Monday at the Hillcrest Ward chapel, prior to the funeral, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ray’s name to the Utah Hemophilia Foundation (
www.uhf.org
), the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (
www.jdrf.org
), and the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation (
www.udsf.org
).