My husband, Captain Raymond Wynn, was with the Kansas City Fire Department for 32 years. He was extremely proud to be a firefighter and always said, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” Several words that best describe him are passionate, loyal, and positive. He was fiercely protective of his three independent, responsible, and talented kids, both sides of our blended family, and his brothers and sisters on the job while serving his community.
Ray will be remembered not only for his strong advocacy on behalf of firefighters, but also for his love of music, golf, and football.
Ray was diagnosed with three separate primary tumors on his tongue, neck, and lung. He was determined to do whatever it took to beat it and made sure his family, doctors, nurses, and friends all carried his positive mental attitude (PMA) through the last brutal five years of his fight. We expected him to beat lung cancer just as he fought tongue and neck cancer. Ultimately, he lost his decade-long battle with cancer on the evening of March 27, 2021, at home, surrounded by our love.
We were both convinced that all three types of his cancer diagnosis were due to exposures he encountered and the gear that he was provided during his career as a firefighter. Along with his children, Monica, Julie, and Dan, I continue the fight to educate and help provide a path for others who may have to deal with cancer and the associated care.
There is not a day that goes by, or a milestone of birthdays, weddings, and family get togethers, that we do not all miss him terribly. He didn’t do anything small or quietly, and his infectious spirit has left a massive void in our hearts.
No amount of money can heal our hearts, but by being persistent and steadfast, we did receive judgement that his death was in fact a line-of-duty fatality. This will not bring Ray back to us, but there is a small comfort knowing that he would want us to be taken care of in his absence. There are several resources that Local #42 assisted with to help us navigate the medical and legal process. It is our hope that if another family inevitably must endure this brutal reality, these same resources are made available to them.
We could not have survived this journey for the last several years without our firefighter family and union support, as they were all consistently “on call” for our family, every day and every step of the way. We are blessed to be part of such a special group. First responders go above and beyond the line of duty to protect the communities they serve and never ask why.
Never have met anyone like Ray, so very strong, loud, caring, and loved his family, friends, his brother and sisters in Fire Dept.
– Tex and Judy WatsonSo very proud of Wynn family love to all.
Lord how we miss you Ray Wynn!!
– Judy WatsonYour voice, your jokes, your bear hugs and you were always life of the party
You were bigger then life itself, we are so very proud of you and your family
To have been loved by you is an honor.
– Nan Gunn🙏🏻❤️☘️
There are no words to describe the pain when it comes to the loss of this man in our lives. We are so grateful he is being honored in a way so befitting. There was no job too big, no service too small for Ray Wynn. He was always a hero in our eyes. He did everything with passion. He was not only a passionate career and family man, but he also lived every day of his life with that same enthusiasm. His humor was second to none and he was the life of every get together, including the chemo floor at the hospital where so many people benefited from his quick wit and humor. I still hear his infectious laughter when I have what he used to refer to as my “Phoebe”moments. I pray that laughter lives in my memory forever. He was fiercely committed to his career and his family. He was a surrogate Dad for my daughters and a friend/brother to me. The fireman mentality was woven all through his life in everything he did. He never did anything halfway, and he was the first one there for a person in need. He left behind a beautiful strong family that carry on the fight he began for other firefighters and their families. I am so proud of all of you. Ray Wynn, as anyone who knew him would tell you, lived every moment of his life on this earth with purpose and intensity and they broke the mold when they made him. I love you, my dear friend and I miss you absolutely every day of my life. It is so fitting that you are being honored in this way.
Carolyn Sanazaro
– Carolyn Sanazaro