It is with sadness in our hearts but with faith and hope in resurrection that we wish to inform our parish family of ♰Ray Vukas fallingasleep in the Lord.
†Ray Vukas passed away at his home in Schererville, Indiana on Monday October 10, 2025 with his devoted wife of 56 years, Marian, at his side following a long and difficult battle with cancer. Ray was born on December 18, 1942 to ♰Dragomir and ♰Stevanija (Raic) in Kula Atlagic, Dalmatia. From his early childhood, his family faced hardship and struggle as the Second World War raged in Yugloslavia and his father and uncle ♰Djuro went off to fight in the Dinara Chetnik Division under Vojvoda Momcilo Djuic for the preservation of their families and their Orthodox faith. Ray persevered through these difficult times with his mother and brother Fred with the support of his strong and loving grandfather ♰Djerosim.
In 1956, after 11 years of separation, Ray, his mother, and brother arrived in East Chicago, Indiana and were reunited with their father. ♰Drago and ♰Stevka were blessed with the birth of his sister Violet in 1957. He went on to graduate from East Chicago Washington High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, he spent two years in Bitburg, Germany and discovered one of his callings in joining the Air Police. He returned to Indiana and joined the Indiana State Police where he served as trooper and detective for 22 years. He received a Bachelors Degree from Calumet College in 1977 and subsequently graduated from the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville in 1977. For his services to the Indiana State Police, Governor Otis Bowen awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash in 1979. This award is the highest honor the Governor can bestow on an individual and is reserved for those who go above and beyond for their community and the State, in an extraordinary manner.
In 1969 he met Mirjana Simic at Olympia Restaurant in East Chicago, and they were married later that year on Vidovdan. From that day on, Ray fully devoted himself to his family and his church. He took particular joy in helping to build a St. George SNF basketball program that positively impacted the lives of many young people at our parish. Ray served as the founding president of the SSS Bishop Stefan Lastavica, first president of SNF Lodge 171 Djurdjevdanski Uranak, and president of the building committee for our beautiful St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville. He was president of the church board for many years and served on the Diocesan Council and Central Church Council for the Serbian Orthodox in North and South America, and on the national board of the Serb National Federation. Throughout his years of service Ray was honored with several Episcopal Gramatas. In 2025 he was awarded the Order of St. Sava by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and the Holy Synod.
Ray never forgot his Chetnik roots and was a strong defender of those values and their leader, Vojvoda Momcilo Djuic. He was a tireless worker for the Movement of Serbian Chetniks serving both locally and as Vice President of the worldwide organization.
His greatest joy was watching his grandchildren in their respective sports. Ray and Marian were fixtures for many years at Serbian Church and cultural events throughout the United States and Canada. He loved golfing with his family and friends in Arizona and at home.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, ♰Drago and ♰Stevanija. He is survived by his wife Marian, his children Jason (Dana) and Danny (Mirjana), grandchildren Mirjana, Vladimir, Branko, and Ivana. Brother Fred (Donna) and sister Violet (Jovan) Tica and their families. Cousin Soka (Ciro) Alavanja and their sons Milan (Kova), Branko (Dragica) and Jovo and their families. Cousins Milica (Dragan) Vidovic, Milan Raic, George (Biljana) Raic and their families. Beloved Kumovi Tica and Kesic families. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Visitation and a Pomenon Sunday, October 12. The funeral service at St. George on Monday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville.
May our Lord grant †Ray’s memory eternal and consolation to his beloved family, Kumovi, and friends.
