TRAVERSE CITY — Ramon J. "Ray" Canute, 77, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Munson Medical Center.Ray was born on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1934, to the late Evan E. and Dorothy M. (Miller) Canute in Mesick. Moving to Traverse City, Ray graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1953 and then attended NMC. He entered into marriage with the former Jacqueline Elise Taylor on Friday, Aug. 17, 1956, at Central Methodist Church in Traverse City.Ray served our country as a member of the U.S. Army Second Armored Rifle Battalion, 41st Infantry Fourth Armored Division. He also served as a member of the Honor Guard. Ray had been employed with Parker Motor Freight for 26 years prior to his retirement in 1991. He was a lifelong lover of the outdoors and sports, playing tennis and basketball at TC Central and coaching his sons' Little League teams. Ray also was an avid hunter and golfer and a zealous fan of University of Michigan sports. He was creative, artistic, had a sharp wit, could fix anything, was an accomplished painter and especially loved making things with and for his grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.Surviving Ray are his wife, Jackie; his twin sons, Scott Alan (Amy) Canute, of Sudbury, Mass., and Jeffrey Ray Canute, of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Adam, Alex, Rina, Lizzie and Addy; and his mother-in-law, Helen Taylor Fish, of Traverse City. Visitation for friends and family will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home. The Rev. Dale Ostema will officiate. Graveside committal services will be held at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date.Rather than flowers, the family asks that Ray be remembered through memorial contributions to the Parkinson's Support Group or the American Diabetes Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.Please share your memories of Ray with his family by way of the online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.