Raymond J. Oram, accomplished musician, father, and husband to his beloved Betty Rephann, died peacefully at the age of 89 in Boca Raton, FL on Dec. 14, 2016.
Born 1927 in Carnegie, PA to Norman Oram and Hortense Moreau, later moving to the Philadelphia area, Ray began playing jazz saxophone professionally at the age of 16 after graduating early from high school. Near the end of WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and became leader of the Navy Band. After the war, Ray toured nationally, meeting Betty in Akron, OH, and marrying her 3 weeks later in 1947. They moved to Sun Valley, ID where Ray played in the Harl Smith Orchestra. Ray and Betty raised their 4 children in Glenside, PA before settling in Florida in 1976. Ray worked as a draftsman and civil engineer by day and continued to play music by night to the age of 87. He was a respected master of the tenor sax, and also played alto, baritone, soprano, clarinet, and flute. He wrote original compositions and many arrangements performed by his own Ray Oram Chamber Jazz Onsombo. Ray did studio work for Cameo Parkway Records in the early 60's, and played with society bands, TV shows, and broadway musicals. He performed with many jazz and Big Band notables, including Tex Beneke, Bob Crosby, Lester Young, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Boots Randolph; singers, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sonny & Cher; comedians, Jack Benny, Bob Hope; and for 5 U.S. presidents.
Ray is survived by his children, Jana Lagan (David), James Oram, Tawny Oram, and Kerry Dixon (Dan), 7 Grandchildren, Marc, Jakara, Darcy, Alex, Ryan, Colin, and Shannon, 6 great grandchildren, and his brother, Clifford Oram (Helen). Donations can be made in memory of Ray to the Hospice by the Sea Foundation, 5300 East Ave, W Palm Beach, FL 33407
While cremated his ashes will be scattered at Eckhart Cemetery with his wife Betty Rephann Oram.
Born 1927 in Carnegie, PA to Norman Oram and Hortense Moreau, later moving to the Philadelphia area, Ray began playing jazz saxophone professionally at the age of 16 after graduating early from high school. Near the end of WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and became leader of the Navy Band. After the war, Ray toured nationally, meeting Betty in Akron, OH, and marrying her 3 weeks later in 1947. They moved to Sun Valley, ID where Ray played in the Harl Smith Orchestra. Ray and Betty raised their 4 children in Glenside, PA before settling in Florida in 1976. Ray worked as a draftsman and civil engineer by day and continued to play music by night to the age of 87. He was a respected master of the tenor sax, and also played alto, baritone, soprano, clarinet, and flute. He wrote original compositions and many arrangements performed by his own Ray Oram Chamber Jazz Onsombo. Ray did studio work for Cameo Parkway Records in the early 60's, and played with society bands, TV shows, and broadway musicals. He performed with many jazz and Big Band notables, including Tex Beneke, Bob Crosby, Lester Young, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Boots Randolph; singers, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sonny & Cher; comedians, Jack Benny, Bob Hope; and for 5 U.S. presidents.
Ray is survived by his children, Jana Lagan (David), James Oram, Tawny Oram, and Kerry Dixon (Dan), 7 Grandchildren, Marc, Jakara, Darcy, Alex, Ryan, Colin, and Shannon, 6 great grandchildren, and his brother, Clifford Oram (Helen). Donations can be made in memory of Ray to the Hospice by the Sea Foundation, 5300 East Ave, W Palm Beach, FL 33407
While cremated his ashes will be scattered at Eckhart Cemetery with his wife Betty Rephann Oram.
Raymond J. Oram, accomplished musician, father, and husband to his beloved Betty Rephann, died peacefully at the age of 89 in Boca Raton, FL on Dec. 14, 2016.
Born 1927 in Carnegie, PA to Norman Oram and Hortense Moreau, later moving to the Philadelphia area, Ray began playing jazz saxophone professionally at the age of 16 after graduating early from high school. Near the end of WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and became leader of the Navy Band. After the war, Ray toured nationally, meeting Betty in Akron, OH, and marrying her 3 weeks later in 1947. They moved to Sun Valley, ID where Ray played in the Harl Smith Orchestra. Ray and Betty raised their 4 children in Glenside, PA before settling in Florida in 1976. Ray worked as a draftsman and civil engineer by day and continued to play music by night to the age of 87. He was a respected master of the tenor sax, and also played alto, baritone, soprano, clarinet, and flute. He wrote original compositions and many arrangements performed by his own Ray Oram Chamber Jazz Onsombo. Ray did studio work for Cameo Parkway Records in the early 60's, and played with society bands, TV shows, and broadway musicals. He performed with many jazz and Big Band notables, including Tex Beneke, Bob Crosby, Lester Young, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Boots Randolph; singers, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sonny & Cher; comedians, Jack Benny, Bob Hope; and for 5 U.S. presidents.
Ray is survived by his children, Jana Lagan (David), James Oram, Tawny Oram, and Kerry Dixon (Dan), 7 Grandchildren, Marc, Jakara, Darcy, Alex, Ryan, Colin, and Shannon, 6 great grandchildren, and his brother, Clifford Oram (Helen). Donations can be made in memory of Ray to the Hospice by the Sea Foundation, 5300 East Ave, W Palm Beach, FL 33407
While cremated his ashes will be scattered at Eckhart Cemetery with his wife Betty Rephann Oram.
Born 1927 in Carnegie, PA to Norman Oram and Hortense Moreau, later moving to the Philadelphia area, Ray began playing jazz saxophone professionally at the age of 16 after graduating early from high school. Near the end of WWII, he enlisted in the Navy and became leader of the Navy Band. After the war, Ray toured nationally, meeting Betty in Akron, OH, and marrying her 3 weeks later in 1947. They moved to Sun Valley, ID where Ray played in the Harl Smith Orchestra. Ray and Betty raised their 4 children in Glenside, PA before settling in Florida in 1976. Ray worked as a draftsman and civil engineer by day and continued to play music by night to the age of 87. He was a respected master of the tenor sax, and also played alto, baritone, soprano, clarinet, and flute. He wrote original compositions and many arrangements performed by his own Ray Oram Chamber Jazz Onsombo. Ray did studio work for Cameo Parkway Records in the early 60's, and played with society bands, TV shows, and broadway musicals. He performed with many jazz and Big Band notables, including Tex Beneke, Bob Crosby, Lester Young, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Boots Randolph; singers, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sonny & Cher; comedians, Jack Benny, Bob Hope; and for 5 U.S. presidents.
Ray is survived by his children, Jana Lagan (David), James Oram, Tawny Oram, and Kerry Dixon (Dan), 7 Grandchildren, Marc, Jakara, Darcy, Alex, Ryan, Colin, and Shannon, 6 great grandchildren, and his brother, Clifford Oram (Helen). Donations can be made in memory of Ray to the Hospice by the Sea Foundation, 5300 East Ave, W Palm Beach, FL 33407
While cremated his ashes will be scattered at Eckhart Cemetery with his wife Betty Rephann Oram.
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