RIP Ray Montee

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Mar 2018 3:49 pm

Posted Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:22 pm

Pete Burak wrote: I just received word from Sally that Ray passed on at about 3:55pm today.
His wife and daughter were at his side.
At times like this I can only hope that Ray is with his friends, family, and Hero's, in Heaven.
Best Regards, Ray "Skipper" Montee.
You were one of the best.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 28 Mar 2018 4:08 pm

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Mar 2018 4:17 pm

Thank you, Pete, for visiting him during his last days and keeping us up to date with his passing.

I only met him in person once, at the TSGA show in Dallas a couple years back. He was a kind and gentle man to me, and of course a good player.

My sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 Mar 2018 4:22 pm

RIP Skipper. I enjoyed chatting with him and the occasional head butting.

Of course, Ray was an encyclopedia of knowledge on Jerry Byrd and related styles and stylists.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 28 Mar 2018 4:33 pm

RIP Ray

Rick Stratton · Post by **Rick Stratton** » 28 Mar 2018 4:40 pm

Well, we all knew this was coming. So long Skipper! I never got a chance to meet you in person, but I learned a lot from you. You were so kind to me and encouraging when I was just starting out. I applaud you for working so selflessly to keep the music of Jerry Byrd alive! Rest In Peace.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 28 Mar 2018 4:43 pm

I didn't know Ray personally, but I very quickly recognized his love of the steel soon after joining the Forum. I also recognized his passion for JB and his hope to keep JB's legacy in the realm of today's players. He was a man full of questions and wanted the steel world to help him find the answers about technique, style and substance. He could be irritating. And we, to virtually a person, loved him for these things. I wish I knew 1% of what he actually lived as a player. RIP, Mr. Montee.

Blessing and Peace to all of his family and friends.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 28 Mar 2018 4:47 pm

Such a nice gentleman and great steel player. My sympathy to his family. I had one major contact with him, and he was very courteous and prompt in his reply.

Sincerely,

C. E. Jackson

G Strout · Post by **G Strout** » 28 Mar 2018 4:53 pm

RIP Skipper. As Rick posted earlier we all knew this was coming. Ray was a great player and a constant contributor to our community. He will be missed. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Gary

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 28 Mar 2018 4:59 pm

As Rick mentioned above, we all knew this was coming, but I was dreading to hear about it. My sincere condolences to his family, we have lost another good one.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 Mar 2018 5:08 pm

Jerry would have been proud of his continued curating of the Byrd legacy. Not a surprise but still sad to see. RIP, Skipper.

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 28 Mar 2018 5:18 pm

Ray, RIP

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 28 Mar 2018 6:03 pm

Sally Montee here. I want to personally thank Pete for being so kind to Ray in his last days. Ray really enjoyed the music and the friendship. Ray had a long journey of sickness. Not many people knew he was so ill. I took care of him for about 2 years and tried to encourage him forward to get better but it was not to be. I'm sure he is playing his steel guitar in heaven with Jerry Byrd. Thank you everyone for being his friend

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 28 Mar 2018 6:17 pm

RIP Ray - he sure could play. My condolences to his family and thanks to Pete for being a great friend to him when he needed one.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 28 Mar 2018 6:33 pm

RIP Ray. My condolences to the family. Ray was an excellent player and a wealth of information. He will be missed.

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 28 Mar 2018 6:44 pm

My deepest condolences to the Montee family. I never met Ray, but I spent several years enjoying his posts on
the Steel Guitar Forum. RIP.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Mar 2018 6:55 pm

Ray was a good character.....I met him in Dallas in the non pedal room.....he brought his 4 neck Bigsby and I brought the one of a kind Jerry Byrd Fender.....his eyes sure lit up seeing that....it was a loose end for him that was finally tied up......

RIP Skipper.....you will be sorely missed.....

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 28 Mar 2018 6:57 pm

Sorry for your loss. I liked Ray's postings here on the forum

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 28 Mar 2018 7:01 pm

My heart is sad and my heart is happy, Sad that we've lost such a "gem" and avid proponent of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, and Happy knowing that he'll be in such good company and be talking to all the greats that he loved so much, I'm certain that JB was right there welcoming the "Skipper' in !

My deepest condolences go out the the close family and friends, but rest assured that Ray rests assured..

Abe Levy · Post by **Abe Levy** » 28 Mar 2018 7:07 pm

RIP Ray. Another old master gone.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 28 Mar 2018 9:23 pm

Sad news.

R.I.P. Ray.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 28 Mar 2018 9:36 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this. We never met in person, but I felt I knew knew him through his thousands of posts here on the forum. My condolences to his family. God bless.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 28 Mar 2018 10:07 pm

RIP Ray, and now there's another empty seat behind the Bigsby.

Sebastian Müller · Post by **Sebastian Müller** » 28 Mar 2018 10:45 pm

Sorry to hear, what a great loss for the steel guitar community. RIP Ray !

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 28 Mar 2018 11:38 pm

RIP Ray!

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Ray Montee

RIP Ray Montee

Thank you Pete

So sad he's left us.........................................