1967 - 2008
Former Steamboat Springs resident Raymond "Ray" Carl Lang, of Wheat Ridge, died July 29, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. He was 40.
He was born Dec. 12, 1967, in Marietta, Ohio, to Jake and Jackie Lang. He was a graduate of Ohio State University and became a sales representative for the snowboard and motocross industries.
All his life, Ray loved things that went fast and soared high - from racing BMX bikes and riding freestyle to earning a pilot's license and touring the country on a Ninja 1000.
Living the dream and becoming a great snowboarder and an incredible motocross racer, Ray could believe in himself to rise above and succeed. On July 29, Ray was killed in a motorcycle accident at the 27th annual Air Nautiques/AMA amateur national motocross championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Only a select few are invited to compete in that race. The world lost an extraordinary man that day.
Ray's desire and will to excel and strive to win is a trait few could possess. The amazing stories he shared reflected his outlook toward life: Be positive, every day is worth living.
He is survived by his mother, of Marietta; brother, Russell Lang, of Morgantown, W.Va.; sister, Debbie DeShetler, of Seattle; and niece and nephew, Ani and Max DeShetler and special friend, Rose Saal.
He was preceded in death by his father.
This ride is for Ray.
In celebration of Ray's life, a memorial ride day is from 2 p.m. to closing today at Thunder Valley MX track in Denver. Donations to Rider Down will be accepted at the track.
