Growing up, my best friend Scott lived right across the street from Ray. We played ball in the street and often had to retreat for a limo that would be carrying Ray back from another badminton adventure.

One day he wrote a poem about how his daughters would watch us through the window and then have to take a cold shower. He read this on a TV show back in the 70's. Hilarious. We still have the original draft.

I spent Christmas day with him in the mid 80's. By then I was an aspiring cartoonist. I asked him about publising and what it takes to make it. He showed me stacks of his work that were never published. I was under the impression that if he scribbled on a napkin someone would publish it. He told me to keep making new stuff and borrow the good parts of the old work. Stay positive and don't listen to critics.

I saw him recently at a book signing. He immediately remembered the poem. When he did his talk, his energy and message hadn't changed. He is a rare talent and has been an inspiration to me for most of my life.

Mike Browne

Mike Browne

You need to ge a hold of Sam Weller, who is doing a biography on Ray. You just may have a few interesting jottings to add to the book, which is still in the works. Sam is on-line at this site....

Sam's e-mail is:
mr.electrico@attbi.com

[This message has been edited by Nard Kordell (edited 05-27-2003).]

Mike-

What a wonderful story. I know that poem well, and it's a pleasure to meet one of the people who inspired it! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us here.

Best wishes,

Greg Miller