Ray Leonard Nave

Ray Leonard Nave, 83, of Indianapolis, IN. passed away on September 15, 2022, at the age of 83. Ray was known for his smile, tireless work ethic, and the love for his family, church, sports, racing, fishing, and serving his church and the community.
Ray is the second son of Jean Wilber & Marie Nave of Indianapolis. He is the brother to Gene Nave (deceased) and Billy Nave and to sister Joan Nave Sedam (deceased). Ray is survived by the “Love of his Life” Julia “Judy” (McCreary) Nave, whom he was married to for 65 years. They met on a Friday, sixty-eight years ago at a Job’s Daughters / Demolay Dance. Ray asked Judy if he she would accompany him the next day on a movie date. She agreed if he would accompany her to church on Sunday. They were together ever since and were married a couple years later at Fleming Garden Church. They raised four children: Randy (wife Rhonda) Nave, Danny (wife Laura) Nave, Sandy (husband John) Culver, and Tammy (husband Lee) Kellums. Ray and Judy were also blessed with nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews.
Ray was a three-sport athlete at Washington HS. He loved sports, and a fun family day swimming and diving followed by an evening with Judy “dancing under the stars” under the retractable roof at the Westlake Beach Club. Ray and Judy were both active in church both singing in the church choir. He was an active member of Chapel Rock Christian Church and faithfully attended church there and at the First Christian Church of Punta Gorda, FL., for fourteen years as a “snowbird”. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #723, Sahara Grotto, Scottish Rite, and the Murat Temple. Ray worked in management at a variety of jobs during his lifetime, including several years of service as a Special Deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, where he served a variety of positions, including service as a jail deputy, court line deputy, Superior Court Room bailiff, and Supervisor for the Marion County Juvenile Courts Probation Unit. Ray worked multiple jobs to provide for his family and realized late in life that he could benefit from a higher education. Ray was extremely proud to have received his Associate Degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management and bachelor’s degree in health and Human Services, from I.U.P.U.I. Ray was a race fan and loved working the Indy 500 with his uncles and father Gene as a security officer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ray was a proud member of the Indy Ford Mustang Club and enjoyed attending car shows with Judy and their classic mustang. Ray was a perfectionist, determined to be the best at every job he worked and fearless in every challenge or task that he faced. He passed on his work ethic and competitive nature and desire to enjoy life to its fullest to his four children. He instilled pride and confidence in his boys coaching them in baseball and encouraging his kids and grandkids to be the best they could be in all facets of life. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and their success in sports and academics and being a good Christian, living the Golden Rule in “Doing to others as you would have them do unto you.”
Ray wasn’t always humble, but always compassionate towards others serving in various capacities as a volunteer at his church and at various community events. He and Judy played Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus to countless children and nursing home residents for over thirty years and never accepted any gratuity for their volunteerism. He loved people and always brightened every room with his huge smile and ability to bring people together. He enjoyed cookouts and swimming in his backyard pool with his children and grandchildren. He loved swing dancing and singing songs of that era with Judy. He loved fishing. He was an avid Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts fan. He took pride in fixing up things and believed with a little bit of ingenuity and Gorilla Glue he could build or repair anything. He found worth in what others discarded as junk. He inspired others to do the same. To improve on what they had and make it better than before. Most of all, he enjoyed hosting get together’ s and spending time with family and friends. Ray will be missed dearly by all who met him. He would want us to serve God and help our fellow man, to appreciate what little we may have, and continually strive to excel in all we do, and most importantly to be kind to others and to be the best version of ourselves.
A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28th at 11:00am, with visitation from 10 am, at Chapel Rock Christian Church, located at 2020 N. Girls School Road.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 27th from 4pm to 8pm at Flanner & Buchanan Floral Park Funeral Home, located at 425 N. Holt Road.