There is no greater feeling than knowing you’ve helped make someone’s day a little better by lending a helping hand. Sometimes it is a simple greeting, smile or assistance in the form of food or school supplies in our case. When we distribute school supplies each year it is hard to express the feeling you get when you see the smiles on the faces of children and hear “gracias” from students and parents.
We also quickly learn that people who work together in these volunteer efforts become almost like a “second” family as we all strive to give of ourselves to help others. We can attest that some of our strongest friendships have come from this group. Ray and his wife, Sandy, have served together as members of the leadership team since the inception of Friends of Cozumel.
When we lose a valued member, it’s like losing family. Such is the case when our friend and co-worker, Ray Ham, passed away recently after a battle with cancer. Some people are natural leaders, always ready to step forward and voice ideas and direct others. Ray was a “behind the scenes” leader who continuously observed and assessed quietly. But when he spoke everyone knew his ideas would be well thought out, based on accurate information and helpful.
Ray loved the island of Cozumel and considered the island his to be his primary home. Education was a passion for him as he served on the scholarship committee for Friends of Cozumel and strongly encouraged students to better themselves and their families through education. He also started a program to distribute free reading glasses that benefitted hundreds of adults in need over the years.
We deeply miss Ray, his wisdom and his laughter. His family has requested memorials be directed for the Friends of Cozumel scholarship fund. See the Excerpts from his obituary below:
Ronald “Ray” Ham 08/19/1942 – 05/11/2025
Ronald “Ray” Ham of Bloomington, IN, 82, formerly of Brown County and Linton, IN, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 11, 2025. He and his wife of 57 years, Sandra Stewart Ham, retired and lived in Cozumel, Mexico for 20 years. He loved horseback riding in his younger years, and he loved spending as much time as he could with his and Sandy’s many friends on the Island, and at the beach in a chair enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. He is survived by his wife, daughters Toni Ham Stuller (Craig), Nuria Caravajal (Omar Borges), and Samantha Caravajal, and his beloved grandson Marty Stuller, as well as his puppy, Maya. He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Rosalie Ham, his brother Norman E. Ham, and his father and mother-in-law Charles and Leatha Stewart.
Ray and Sandy were deeply involved with Friends of Cozumel volunteer group for 15 years, especially with the education of the children and helping families in need. The family requests that donations be made payable to “Friends of Cozumel” to fund scholarships for the local children of Cozumel. Please note “Ray Ham Memorial” on your check and mail to Friends of Cozumel, 2783 Kinsington Circle, Weston, FL 33332. Donations can also be made via PayPal. https://friendsofcozumel.com
Per Ray’s wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes will be returned to his beloved Cozumel and spread into the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
