Raymond Ganowsky

Ray Ganowsky, our beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of December 26, 2025. Ray leaves a vast legacy of achievement, but his business successes were always second to his love for his wife, Melzie and for his family. He was 91 years old.

Ray was born in Huntington Park, California on March 23, 1934, to Bill and Anita Ganowsky. He was the second of three children. In 1950, at sixteen, he attended Bell High School, where he met his best friend and the love of his life, Melzie Henderson. The couple became inseparable, spending their days together exploring southern California. Together they began a remarkable love story that would span 75 years.

In the spring of 1952, the couple graduated high school. Ray knew he wanted to marry Melzie, so he offered her his first marriage proposal, which she abruptly turned down. She loved Ray, but couldn't figure out how they would survive together, relying only on love. Ray was just starting college at Northrop University in LA. Despite her rejection, Ray was determined. Over the next few years, he would continue to propose. Melzie eventually acquiesced and they married on June 12, 1955. In 1960, The couple welcomed their first child; a daughter (Julie). Two years later, a son followed (Kevin).

Growing up in LA post-World War II impressed upon Ray a love for aerospace. At that time, Southern California was a global hub for aviation innovation, and Ray had always been fascinated with engineering. Aerospace was a natural fit. He graduated from Northrop in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronomical engineering and took a job with IMC Magnetics. There, he found his niche in electro-mechanical design. He developed several design concepts for rotary actuation and obtained 31 US patents. In 1965, they moved their small family to Clifton Springs, NY so Ray could work for GW Lisk, who agreed to license his patents.

In 1974, Ray and Melzie decided to move back to the western United States. They chose St. George, UT as their home, due to its proximity to California, where family still lived. They had traveled through Southern Utah on their honeymoon and fell in love with its beauty. At the time, only 7,500 people lived in St. George. The couple built a home in Bloomington, where they would remain for the next 28 years.

In 1975, they founded RAM (an acronym for "Ray and Melzie"). So began a business partnership that would see them working side-by-side for the next fifty years. Along with their first three employees (their children and Ray's father, Bill machining), they produced over 100,000 complex parts in their Bloomington garage. Later, Ray would respond to solicitation requests from NASA to help with design work on the space shuttle. His talents as an engineer were on full display. RAM began designing and manufacturing precision components for various aviation and space programs.

Today, RAM has employed over 2,000 people in Southern Utah; its designs are found on nearly every platform in the sky and space. Ray and Melzie's business success has made an indelible impact on the state of Utah, Washington County, and the aerospace industry. The couple's legacy will continue to thrive in Southern Utah for years to come. Ray remained engaged with the businesses for the rest of his life. His love and gratitude for the people he employed and the work they accomplished was always evident.

In addition to Melzie, Ray is survived by his older brother, Buddy Ganowsky (Arlene); his sister Kathy VanHoose (Jerry); his son, Kevin Ganowsky (Rebbeca); his grandchildren, Brian McCann (Jessica), Shannon McCann (Will Sartain), Patrisha Filosio (Jake), Garrison Ganowsky (Shelbi), McKlane Ganowsky (Jessica); and his great-grandchildren Boston, Cozette, Madelyn, Grace, Oliver, Otis, Oscar, Elena, McKinley, Oakes, Jeter, and Jovi. He is preceded in death by his daughter (Dr. Julie Knowlton) and beloved great-grandchildren Jonas and Jasper.

Funeral services will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, UT on January 17 at 1:00 pm. To accommodate those who cannot attend in person, the service will also be streamed here: Livestream Link

Please send all condolences to Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St. St. George, UT 84770.435-673-2454.