Raymond Edward McLennan

Raymond Edward “Ray” McLennan, age 79 years, a resident of Paducah, Kentucky and a former resident of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away Saturday evening, April 5, 2025, at 9:02 P.M. at his home.

Ray was born February 11, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the youngest of five children born to Carroll L. and Helen C. (Thornhill) McLennan.

On June 22, 1985, Ray was united in marriage to Phyllis A. (Henard) at Bible Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky. She survives. Ray is also survived by: 2 daughters – Wendy (Tommy) Barker and Amanda (J.R. Cox) Peek all of Louisville, Kentucky; 8 grandchildren – Bobbie Jo, Brenda, Samantha, George, Jessica, Taylor, Zach, and Teagan; 7 great grandchildren; a son-in-love – Adam Peek of Louisville, Kentucky; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Ray was anticipating the birth of two great grandchildren due to be born in August and October.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by: a daughter – Sheri (Paul) Sayler; his siblings – Clifford McLennan, Alice Gabarino, Janet Pierce, and Jimmy McLennan; and his father-in-law & mother-in-law – Bill & Freeda Henard.

Ray attended DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He served in the Kentucky Army National Guard and was honorably discharged with the rank of SP4 on November 20, 1971.

Ray was employed as an agent by the Internal Revenue Service for over 30 years, prior to his retirement in 2006.

Ray was very community and civic minded. He was the former Chairman of the Paducah Power Board for over 15 years. He had also served as a member of the McCracken County Democratic Executive Committee and attended the 2000 Democratic National Convention held in Los Angeles, California. Ray was a member of the former Hendron Lions Club. He held the honorable distinction of being named a Kentucky Colonel as well as a Duke of Paducah. In 1996, along with Jerry Hoover, then Paducah City Manager, Ray, in his capacity as Chairman of the Paducah Power Board, began the annual Christmas Lights in the Park at Bob Noble Park.

Ray was a member of Heartland Worship Center in Paducah. He was an avid fan of both the University of Louisville Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.

A service honoring the life of Raymond McLennan will be conducted Saturday afternoon, April 19, 2025, at 12 Noon (E.S.T.) at the Louisville Memorial Gardens West Cemetery and Funeral Home, 4400 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Shea Nickell will officiate. Burial with military flag presentation rites will be in the Louisville Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be conducted Friday, April 18, 2025, from 5 P.M until 8 P.M. (E.S.T.) at the Louisville Memorial Gardens West Funeral Home. There will also be a time of visitation Saturday morning, April 19, 2025, from 11 A.M. (E.S.T.) until the funeral hour at 12 Noon at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Shirley’s Way (an organization which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families) and may be mailed to 10966 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40272.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Louisville Memorial Gardens West Cemetery and Funeral Home in Louisville, Kentucky and Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Illinois.