David@SPE Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Very sad news. RIP and condolences to his loved ones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Boy Report post Posted February 19, 2014 http://www.fordgtforum.com/ray.html His poor kids. Seems like that page is the only one accessible on that forum for now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juice it Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Wow, knew this thread didn't look good. Like many here loved to read his latest exploits and he seemed like a very genuine guy and a good friend to many. Rest in peace and condolences to his family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Craws Report post Posted February 19, 2014 It was so refreshing knowing someone successful who was humble. RIP Ray, condolences to his family. Last year I had some business I was working with Ray, and the guy every single call, email or text would call me "Bud or Friend" and leave the convo on some positive note. When I got to meet him and Janna at the Utah Fast Pass he instantly put his arm around my shoulder and introduced me as his buddy. I felt like I was just hanging out with an old friend from years past, not some successful business man I barely knew. He was as down to earth and as welcoming as a guy could get. I know he loved his family immensely as well and all of my thoughts are with them today Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankieFred Report post Posted February 19, 2014 RIP Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traction Control Off Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Wow, so sorry to hear this. RIP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan-Herbie Report post Posted February 19, 2014 http://www.cbs7.com/news/details.asp?ID=54871 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
speed and motion Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Horrible news, RIP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooosh Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Never met him ... But if you're a car guy ... How could you not absolutely love Peak ... What an inspiration ... My thoughts and prayers are with his family ... He'll really be missed ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedGTS Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Damn, just logged on and can't believe this. So very, very sad. RIP Ray. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emanon Report post Posted February 19, 2014 http://commemorativeairforce.org/?page=cms...p;cms_page=1267 ast night I received the terrible news concerning CAF Col Ray Hofman. As I understand it, yesterday (Feb. 18) Ray was at Breckenridge,Texas test flying his Sea Fury after it came out of restoration. Soon after taking off on one of the flights, the Sea Fury crashed with the resulting fatality of pilot Ray Hofman. All of us who have been in this business for very long have been impacted by tragedies such as this…which makes it no easier to handle; perhaps it makes it even harder… I first experienced it as a young lieutenant in Army Flight School when a member of my flight class and his crew were killed during instruction. It shook me up that a guy I had just been talking to at a party, only two days previous, had now simply vanished. I remember the feeling of 30 years ago…and it feels exactly the same today. I have only known Ray for two years, but as I am sure with many, he made a deep impact. At first, he seemed almost too good to be true – a tall, handsome young guy who had been very successful, all on his own talents and hard work….and he was a nice guy; a VERY nice guy. But, Ray was the Real Deal. He was just that successful and just that nice – and generous. A race car lover, who had decided to extend his passion to warbirds; when we first met, I was inquisitive as to why the new focus on warbirds? Ray told me his story about growing up in Canada and his childhood room covered with pictures of the CAF’s airplanes on the walls. And that when he had decided to move to Midland for the oil business, he arrived late in the night, only to wake up and see the CAF letters on the water tower. He told me he was so excited because he never realized that the CAF was located in the town he was relocating too! So now, more than 10 years later, he had the time and resources to pursue this passion. And Ray pursued this passion with enthusiasm! He got the best instructors, bought the best aircraft and had them maintained by the best mechanics. And from all accounts he was a helluva pilot. But, beyond his passion and success, Ray was a good family man and a good friend. I had the pleasure of seeing him with Janna and their four boys (Dylan, Justin, Byron and Jayden) several times and it always brought a smile to my face. Their home is a young boy’s dream and he got to be the fifth little-boy in their backyard Disneyland… Ray was very generous – sometimes men of means will get involved in warbirds but not get involved with us blue-collar CAF types. This was the opposite with Ray. He and Janna became active members of the High Sky Wing and were exceedingly generous with their time, resources and airplanes. He loved hanging out with any of the membership to talk airplanes and history. On a personal note, Ray was a great friend to me in my role here at the CAF. He and I collaborated on the long-term plans for the CAF and he quickly became a member of my “kitchen cabinet”. He was very helpful and supportive to me during the turmoil created around the move of CAF Headquarters. He felt it was the right thing for the organization and worked behind the scenes to bring differing views together and he would often call or text me encouragement. Ray had great dreams about building a hangar across from the Commemorative Center and Janna and I had just met with the Airport to get things rolling. He wanted to be close to the CAF so that he could help improve our Museum with his collection of airplanes on display in OUR hangar – such generosity! As I look back in my phone, his last text to me was a request to help him source WWII flags for his “hangar/museum”. That makes me smile – Ray planned on his new hangar being as much a museum for others to enjoy- as a repository for his fun. I will miss you Ray. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irvin Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Horrible news. RIP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albuht813 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 RIP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canyouheminow83 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 RIP Ray, you will be missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
baazinakon Report post Posted February 19, 2014 RIP. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ray, but I thoroughly enjoyed his presence on this forum and many stories of his kindness. It's deeply saddening that he had a young family that is left behind and to see this happen to an individual who was living life to the fullest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambofan35 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 In Ray's memory, here is his old Gallardo SE when he first bought it stock, before he put the TurboRay touch on it with UGR! I think it would be nice to see more pictures of Ray and/or his cars. He was a true enthusiasts! I'm very blessed to own this old car of his, it has a special heritage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAGINGBULL57 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 How old was Ray? Did the plane have a mechanical problem? I guess he was not superstitious having the #13 on his FGT and his newest acquisition. What a shame for those 4 boys to grow up without a special Dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo50Mike Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Man...This is terrible! Ray was a legend! Terrible news to hear...RIP Ray. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyroy2003 Report post Posted February 19, 2014 Enjoy the track in the sky..RIP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipster Report post Posted February 20, 2014 Damn! Very terrible to see this just now. RIP and thoughts to his family Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
07pearl Report post Posted February 20, 2014 RIP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew R. Report post Posted February 20, 2014 Sad news.. may his soul rest in peace. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robster Craws Report post Posted February 20, 2014 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
camaro97 Report post Posted February 20, 2014 RIP. Just remembering some of his cars ... My Matte Black FGT Diablo Thanksgiving Delivery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jylambo Report post Posted February 20, 2014 This is so tough to grasp. Even though I never met the Ray I felt like he was my role model. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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