Raymond Thomas Gleason

• 

Gleason, Raymond Thomas Raymond was born on July 28, 1931, the 4th of 10 children of Raymond A. and Olga (Stevenson) Gleason. After completing his service in the US Navy Submarine Service, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1956 with majors in mathematics and philosophy. He then began work at the University of California Lawrence Radiation Laboratory as a computer programmer in the design of nuclear/atomic weapons. He later taught high school mathematics for 1 year in Shakopee, MN. Along the way, Ray was a founder of the 50th & Bryant Athletic Club, the sponsors of the Black-Box Float in the 1954 Aquatennial Parade. Ray and Sally (Sylvia) Swanson were married in 1960. Ray joined Control Data Corporation in 1961 as the manager of technical training. In 1967, as a salesman in Texas, he sold a super-computer (designed by Cray) to the General Dynamics Corporation for the design of the F-111, the first movable wing fighter aircraft. Later, for Control Data, he was a district manager for New York City and New Jersey. He left CDC in 1987. In 1988 he started Gleason's Software in a business opportunity he saw in helping a friend. Until about a month ago, he was still active in the business which provides software for organizations who are licensed by the State of MN to sponsor Charitable Gambling His older brother and sisters were Helen, Jack (John), Louise and the younger Stephen, Timothy, Mary, Jane, Philip and his remaining brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his wife Sally, four children and their spouses: Sarah (Malick), Kathleen (Michael), Jennifer (Matt), Timothy (Shannon) and five grandchildren: Nicholas, Cy, Hazel, Leela and Georgia, as well as his brother Kenneth. Ray's favorite prayer was, "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners [at the only two times that are important] now and at the hour of our death, amen." N.B. Those who knew Ray well will not be surprised to know he wrote the above obituary himself. Ray's children added: For the last 30+ years, Ray and Sally spent much of their summers at their cabin on Bone Lake. Over their whole lives, Ray and Sally's grandchildren spent weeks together at the cabin every summer; despite growing up a distance from each other, the time with Ray and Sally at the cabin helped cement the grandchildren's close relationships. Ray's commitment to family did not end (or begin) with his grandchildren. He was close with his and Sally's families, and raised his children not far from where he grew up. Together Ray and Sally also had many close, life-long friends with whom they traveled, golfed, dined, play lots of bridge, and laughed. Ray was a life-long member of the Annunciation Catholic Church. His children attended school there after him (but unlike Ray, his children were allowed to attend their eighth-grade graduation ceremonies). Mass of Christian Burial Friday, June 23rd at 10 AM, Church of the Annunciation, 509 W 54th St., Minneapolis, MN 55419. Visitation Thursday, June 22nd from 5-7PM, and also one hour prior to service. Interment following service at Lakewood Cemetery. GILLBROTHERS.com 612-860-6088

Published on June 18, 2023