Aug. 28, 1957 – Oct. 3, 2022
Ray Allen Hoyt, age 65, passed away on Oct. 3, 2022, while in the care of Coral Desert Rehab Facility in St. George. He was born on Aug. 28, 1957, to Timothy Hal and Nina Hoyt in Cedar City. He had five brothers, including Rex, Roy, Tony, Kelly and Daniel. They grew up going to the old South Ward Mormon church in Hurricane where they spent lots of time with family and friends. Ray loved playing sports, being outdoors and climbing the ranks as a boy scout. At the age of 10 he started as a Bear Cub Scout and received merit badges for many things like first aid, surveying, safety swimming, and lifesaving along the way. He got certified as a Life Scout then a Star Scout then finally became the highest honors of an Eagle Scout in 1971. He loved to be of service to his community and made his family proud in doing so.
Ray was raised in Hurricane where he spent his school years. He graduated on May 29th, 1975, from Hurricane High School as a proud Tiger. He then continued his education at Utah Technical College in Provo. He loved playing all sports, but especially excelled in wrestling, track and field, boxing, and football. Ray set several track records including the one-mile sprint at 5:12- placing first several times, and the two-mile sprint at 11:9.4. He won many Certificates of Awards for lettering in football, track, and wrestling as well as logging over 1,000 miles in track. He came in first place in his high school wrestling matches on several occasions as well. Ray was a fierce competitor, taking many championships in open class boxing. He quickly became Washington County Fair’s main event boxer against other county champions like Dave Piper and Rick Ence. Ray also loved being home watching old western movies, running several miles a day for exercise and playing his acoustic guitar while singing to his favorite classic rock songs.
Ray was called on a Mormon Mission in 1976 to serve in Calgary, Alberta where he devoted two years to teaching his religion. After moving back home from Canada he became a carpenter, building homes with his younger brother, Tony. Together they built homes for 20+ years throughout Southern Utah. Ray and Tony became a dynamic team at Hoyt Construction where Ray acted as Tony’s right-hand man. Ray was dedicated to his work as a carpenter, all while being a star athlete and talented musician.
Ray met his first wife, Kellie Jean Parker, in Hurricane, Utah. They were married in the temple in February 1980. They raised two beautiful daughters: Kindra Jean Hoyt, born on Feb. 28, 1981, and Kristie Lynn Hoyt, born on Dec. 27, 1982. In the summer of 1985, Ray married Becky Jo Dorius, and together they had two wonderful children: Britni Jo Hoyt, born on August 6, 1986, and Garet Riley Hoyt, born on Feb. 19, 1988. Ray also became a loving father to Becky’s children from her first marriage: Ryan, Russell, Jolie, Krisjon Brown, and Falcon Parker. He loved all his kids treating them equally, spoiling them at every chance he could.
Ray is preceded in death by Timothy Hal Hoyt, Nina Hoyt, and Kelly Hoyt.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Hurricane City Cemetery.
His family would like to thank the Coral Desert Rehab nurses that so lovingly cared for him, along with his friends and family who took the time to visit him in his last years. A special thank you goes to Tony and Donna Hoyt for sharing their home, and to Rex Hoyt for taking extra good care of him in his final years. We appreciate the kindness and devotion shown at such a difficult time. Donations may be made to Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah for Ray’s headstone.