Susan Ray

Susan Marie Ray of Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away on April 22. 2026.

She was born on August 2, 1946, to George and Althea Ray in Lansing, MI. Her family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she grew up with her twin sister, Sandra Cosand.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Arizona and one year later she received another Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. She then passed the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam and went on to work in various hospital and clinical labs. In 1995, she received a Master's degree in Life Science from the University of Texas, Permian Basin. She became the Department Chair and taught Medical Laboratory Technology at Odessa College. In 2019, she retired from the University of Texas Permian Basin in the Biology Department where she taught various biology labs and developed and taught Microbiology to the pre-nursing students. She also taught the labs for the local Medical Technology students who received their lecture classes through the University of Texas, Medical Branch. 

After moving to Carlsbad, she became a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an education sorority. She became a Docent (volunteer teacher) at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park. She served as a front desk volunteer where she greeted visitors. She loved the annual Zoo Camp and helped with preparing crafts, teaching science activities, and leading the singing of the camp songs, most of which she had written. 

She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She typed the bulletins for many years, served as President of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, sang in the choir, and made the Christman ornaments church's Christmas tree. 

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:45 AM, Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, NM. Memorial gifts may be given or sent to: The Friends of the Living Desert at 1504 Skyline Rd. Carlsbad, NM 88220, PO Box 100 Carlsbad, NM 88220, (575) 887-5516.