Ray D Lutes

It is with great sadness that I must report the passing of the WFA’s second President, my personal friend, Ray Lutes. I first met Ray in the early days of the Washington Falconers Association. He was always a calming soul, helping me and many others through our falconry journey here. Over the many years of his involvement with the WFA, Ray was always very generous with his legal advice to the Club and its members, both as an attorney and, later, Judge.

While leading the WFA in our infancy, his guidance was gentle but firm. Ray led by example, including hosting an educational day for the Washington Game Department and Commission at the Lutes’ residence near Olympia. His falconry was first class. His famous Goshawk, “Grendel”, was known for her propensity to hammer pheasants via flights from the fist over a very well trained Brittany Spaniel.

More than Ray’s falconry exploits, were his qualities that made him a friend to many. He was honest. He was forgiving. He was always interested in you, no matter who you were.

When I learned of Ray’s passing, I will admit that I wept. I wept because I will miss him. I wept because we will never see one like him. I wept because Heaven’s gain is our loss. Yet, I believe that we shall see one another again, and in this, I do not weep, but rejoice. To you, my old friend, I say: Dance in Joy. Until we meet again……with much Love, your old friend, Clifford.

Historian’s Corner by Clifford Kellogg
Ray Lutes 12/19/1949 – 02/17/2020