Raymond Lee Burklow, 77, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, in St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, N.C.

Born in Wheelwright, Ky., Ray was the son of the late Duke Harrison and Lillian Brunner Burklow.

After graduation from the University of Kentucky where he majored in art history and was a gymnast and cheerleader, Ray worked in Tubingen, Germany for a German National Theater as a set designer. He returned to Cincinnati, Ohio to begin a career in the design and manufacture of industrial trade show exhibits. After retiring to North Carolina in 1999, he learned the art of stained glass and specialized in creating custom works of stained glass for UNC Asheville and homes as far away as Minnesota.

Ray’s passion for living led him to work tirelessly to make life better for animals through his participation in many facets of animal rescue. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and never wanted credit for it.

Ray is survived by his wife, Kathe Burklow, and a sister, Rebecca Burklow of Lexington, Ky. Also surviving are very special cousins, nieces, nephews, loving friends and neighbors, and his dearly loved four-legged family members.

He is deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

Services will be private.

Memorials may be made to: Greyhound Friends of North Carolina, 2908 Oak Ridge, NC 27310, or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, NC 28722.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.