Ray Moran

April 26, 1935 - February 11, 2018

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Ray Moran, a pioneer broadcaster in Texas and New Mexico, and founder of Lubbock’s Ramar Communications, passed away February 11, 2018. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 82 years on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 2 PM at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers with reception to follow.

Moran grew up in Paris, Texas and attended Paris High School and Paris Junior College. He married Mary Alice Davis of Paris and moved to West Texas in 1956. He worked for television and radio stations in San Angelo, Roswell, Lubbock and Albuquerque. He served as General Manager of radio stations KRST and KRZY in Albuquerque, growing them to industry prominence. He founded KTEZ radio in Lubbock in 1972.

In 1981, Moran’s Ramar Communications launched channel 34 as an independent TV station. Channel 34 was a charter member of the FOX network with its debut in 1986. FOX34 created a news division in 2000. Ramar Communications currently has 16 TV and radio stations in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

Ra-mar is a combination of Ray and Mary’s names.

Moran was a pioneer of the Texas Association of Broadcasters. He also served as president of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association and the Albuquerque Little Theater.

Moran was a longtime supporter of Texas Tech University’s College of Media and Communications. He was inducted into the TTU COMC Hall of Fame in 1993. He chaired the COMC Foundation Committee from 1987 to 1992, and served on the Mass Communications Advisory Council. He received the Silver Medal Award of the American Advertising Federation, Lubbock Chapter, in 1983.

In 2014 Moran was inducted to the Paris Junior College Academic Hall of Honor.

Moran established a culture of community service within Ramar Communications which is a hallmark today. He was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts Council and the United Way. He thoroughly enjoyed aviation. He was a pilot with the rule “it has to be severe clear or we don’t go.”

Moran is survived by his wife Mary; sons, Charles Moran of Salt Lake City and Brad Moran and his wife Carla of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Jason of Las Cruces, Deavon of Albuqerque, and Ava Moran and Ella Moran of Lubbock; brother, Sonny of Arlington, TX and sister, Juanita of Austin.

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Dear Family,I wish to express my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one.The pain, the grief, and the feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. The Bible’s promises give comfort and hope. “ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away”.- Revelation 21:4.I hope this gives your family comfort. If you would like to know more about what the Bible promises, please visit: jw.org free of charge or obligation. With Deepest Sympathy, Kristy

Bless you, Ray. Some of my happiest moments were the ones working for you. You had a great life. Rest in Peace.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Raymond. Looked up to him and Mary Alice when I was young. Thankful for their influence in my life. God bless you and my prayers will be with you all.

Carla and Brad, All our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Let us know if we can do anything. God Bless! Gary Branch/Marc West and staff at CVS Pharmacy

On behalf of Paris Junior College, I extend deepest sympathy to the Moran family. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Ray in 2014. My friendship with the Moran family is tied closer to Sonny and Wanarene as her parents lived across the street from me growing up. May God continue to bless Mary and all the family in the days and weeks ahead.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Raymond Moran and my father, James Boswell, were friends in their youth, living just a few doors away from each other on W. cherry Street in West Paris. Stories about what my dad and Raymond got into back then were as familiar to me as any of those about my dad's many cousins and uncles. Raymond Moran came all the way from West Texas to be a pallbearer at my father's funeral in 1992. My condolences on your loss. I trust he was as good a man as an adult, as he was a friend in his youth.

I will miss the greatest brother-in-law ever. I've never seen Raymond down or without a smile on his face. He was truly larger than life yet a friend to all he met. My prayers go out to Mary, Brad, Charles Ray and their families.

I am so sorry at the loss of Ray Moran. I met him at the Wilshire Place where my stepmom is. I didn't know him very well but have become very fond of some of the residents there. Mr. Moran will be missed very much, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.