Raymond Lawton Kickliter

Raymond Lawton Kickliter died on February 14, 2016, in the Westminster Oaks Health Center after a lengthy illness. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held in the Maguire Center at Westminster Oaks on Saturday, February 27 at 3:00 p.m. with Brant Copeland, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, presiding. A reception and visitation with family will follow in the Maguire Center. Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Ann Potter (Patsy), a son Keith (Vicki), daughter Laura (Rex), brother, Bill (Ann), sister Sharon Flower, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and beloved grandson, Clay. Born December 19, 1933, in Tampa, Ray was the son of Curtis and Bonnie Kickliter. He graduated from Hillsborough High School and then attended Florida State School of Music, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Choral Music Education. After serving in the U.S. Air Force for three years, Ray did graduate work at Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville. He returned to Tallahassee in 1966 to become the Choral Director at Leon High School, a position he held for 22 years. After four years as Choral Director at Godby High School, he retired from the Leon County School system in 1993. Countless students have developed a lifelong love of singing thanks to the leadership and training provided by Ray Kickliter. He created a “tradition in a song” at Leon High that continues to this day. Ray was active in Sigma Chi Fraternity, the Florida Vocal Association (FVA), the Florida Music Educatiors Association (FMEA), and the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA). He held the office of President for FVA and FMEA, and was Treasurer for many years for the Florida ACDA. In 2002 ACDA awarded Ray Kickliter the Wayne Hugoboom Award for outstanding service and in 2012 he was inducted into the FVA Hall of Fame. Under his leadership the Florida Vocal Association instituted the first All State Reading Choir in the nation and began a progressive movement to implement World Music into school music programs. Ray was Leon High School’s Teacher of the Year, 1986-1987. Ray and Patsy are members of First Presbyterian Church where Ray served as a Choir Director, Elder and chaired many committees for the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Pre-School at First Presbyterian Church, 110 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida 32301; Westminster Oaks Benevolent Fund, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32308; or the Alzheimer’s Project, 301 E. Tharpe St., Tallahassee, Florida 32303. The family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers in the Health Center of Westminster Oaks who lovingly cared for Ray during this lengthy illness.

Tributes

Raymond Lawton Kickliter

December 19, 1933 - February 14, 2016