Hundreds pay tribute to Ray Kinnaman
with knee-slapping laughter
posted 06/11/01
Scores and scores of islanders Sunday, June 10 celebrated Ray Kinnaman's life by attending three showings of "Blazing Saddles," one of The Royal Theatre owner's favorite movies.
The movie-goers laughed at one of the first movies Kinnaman showed on his screen. As islanders viewed photos and read letters about Kinnaman's endeavors in The Royal's lobby, tears tumbled like popcorn from brimming buckets for the smiling, big-hearted businessman and educator who died May 26, 2001.
Ramon Kinnaman 1938-2001
Ramon "Ray" Kinnaman, 63, owner of The Royal Theatre, enabled thousands of islanders and visitors to giggle, sob, contemplate and just have an entertaining time. San Juan Island's Movie Man died suddenly of a stroke May 26, 2001 in Friday Harbor.
Ray was born and raised in Centralia, Wash. with his brother Richard and his parents Harold and Gertrude. After graduating from Centralia High School in 1956, he went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Caroll, and earn an associate of arts science degree, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in higher education.
As an environmental recreational grant recipient from the State Board of Community Colleges and as a research scientist at the University of Washington, Ray researched the recreational potential for the South Puget Sound/Mount Rainier area. He also was an inventor in the field of marine science.
In 1973, Ray and Caroll sold their marina in Steilacoom, Wash. and moved to Friday Harbor with their four children. They purchased The Royal Theatre in 1974 and have continued to operate it for 27 years. They also provided The Royal's stage for the Straights of Juan de Fuca drama group until the San Juan Community Theatre was built. Many people raised in Friday Harbor remember the first arcade/restaurant in town that Ray operated in the '70s called The Eatery.
Ray was also an educator and instructor all his life, most recently as a state-certified program director for Friday Harbor's Stepping Stones Child Care Center from 1998 to 2001.
During an active athletic career, Ray earned several honors. He was an All-America in high school football, basketball and track. In college, Ray set a national discus record, competed in All Western States Basketball and was a member of the 1956 National and Junior Rose Bowl Champion team from Compton Junior College. He later coached basketball at Hudtloff Junior High School in Tacoma and served as athletic director and coach at Fort Steilacoom Community College.
A kind and very loved father and husband, Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years, Caroll; his mother Gertrude; his four children, Donna, Dean, Diane and David; his sons-in-law Jon Tegnell and Bryan Hollis. Ray was known as "Poppa" to his five grandchildren and all the other children at Stepping Stones.
"Blazing Saddles," one of Ray's favorite movies played to three packed showings in his memory on June 10. Memorials may be made to
Stepping Stones Child Care Center,
54 Marguerite Place
Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
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