Raymond Gordon Zwingeberg Jr.

Raymond Gordon Zwingeberg, Jr., 70, of Kentwood, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025.

Ray was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Raymond Gordon Zwingeberg Sr. and Helen Kathleen Waters Zwingeberg Simmons.  Ray was the second of three children.  He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1973 and Michigan State University in TV and Radio in 1977.

Ray loved happiness, great humor, good food, the Beatles, football, and of course playing and enjoying music.  He was a kind, gentle, loving and joyful soul with an overflowing sense of humor. 

Ray carried a unique talent for transmitting a sense of God's love through music. He loved playing a service, performing for crowds, and even just singing a few bars for loved ones or holiday gatherings. And when he did, he brought heavens joy to those lucky enough to be in attendance. Ascendant music is something he will be forever be, especially cherished for and remembered by.

Ray deeply loved creating joy and uplifting people with his music.

Ray was in the East Grand Rapids High School Band playing saxophone and flute.  He was in a high school rock band that also played polkas at weddings.  He enjoyed being the accompanist and also singing and acting in Circle in the Park Theater in Grand Rapids, Godspell was a favorite.  When he moved to Sedona, Arizona and Flagstaff, he also performed and played at community theater and accompanied at many churches in the area.

Moving back to Grand Rapids, Ray played at local social events and at many local churches, including East Congregational Church and Fountain Street Church.  For twenty years he played at Unity Spiritual Community where he fell in love with a Course in Miracles.  A long-time church member said that "Ray played the Grand Piano, organ and keyboard for both Ada and Walker churches and then at the new Cascade location.  He wrote and arranged hundreds of songs.  He was a spirited player with a jazzy flair.  He also played the alto and soprano sax and ukulele.  He supported the church for over twenty years." 

Ray could play any instrument presented to him, but his specialties were piano, saxophone, flute, ukulele (thanks to his Hawaii local relatives), and of course his voice. Ray played with passion, with his whole heart and has touched many souls through his music.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Diane Kay Woodard.  He is survived by his sister, Linda Zwingeberg Fickes; and his nieces, Alana Fickes, Leigha Stephenson (and her husband, John), Nicole Woodard and Olivia Woodard.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, January 9th at Unity Spiritual Community in Cascade, 2965 Wycliff Dr. SE, Grand Rapids. Followed by his burial in Oak Hill Cemetery on Hall Street at 1:30pm.