Raymond Gayle MacDonald

Raymond (“Ray”) Gayle MacDonald, a longtime resident of Santa Barbara, California, passed from this life on November 17, 2023.

Ray was a gifted painter whose preferred medium was watercolors. Birds were his special interest, depicted in most of his paintings; his art also featured flowers and other aspects of the natural world. At various times, Ray was a regular exhibitor at the Santa Barbara Art Show. In the past, he was commissioned to paint a diorama at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and murals on various restaurant walls.

In Baltimore, where he spent much of his youth and intervals of his adult life, Ray was a featured artist with showings at the Pearl Gallery in Hamden for many years.

Ray’s other interests earlier in his life had been photography, billiards, and playing cards with friends, especially Pitch and Spades.

Ray was a kind, gentle soul, truly a “grace magnet,” drawing others to him from the goodness of their hearts. Although impoverished much of his adult life, he was generous in many little ways, enriching the life and spirit of those who knew him.

Ray is survived by his girlfriend of many years, Kelly Ann Brach, who fostered and enthusiastically encouraged his artwork. She nurtured Ray through some of the most challenging periods of his life.

Ray greatly valued and enjoyed weekly meetings with his friend and spiritual mentor, Scott Johnson, for Bible readings and trips to the beach or local nature preserves where birds and nature could be observed, serving in part as inspiration for his artwork.

Through friendship with Alan Poe, Ray attended services at The salvation Army, on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Born on November 28, 1949, Ray was the younger son of the late Pauline Smithson MacDonald and Raymond MacDonald, Sr. In addition to is parents, Ray was preceded in death by his older brother, Brent MacDonald. Ray is survived by his niece, Kelly MacDonald; nephew, Brent MacDonald, Jr,; four great-nephews; and several paternal half-siblings.

Ray will be deeply, sadly missed by all those who knew him.