Lewis Gray “LG” Raley, 84 of Hollywood, MD, passed away on April 30, 2026, at his home of 50 years on Cuckold Creek. He was born on December 10, 1941, in Washington, D.C., to the late Wilma Gray and Charles Emerick Raley.
LG is a 1960 graduate of St. Michael High School in Ridge, MD. He enlisted in the United States Army and served his country from 1964 to 1966. During his service he was awarded the Marksman (Rifle) Medal. On October 24, 1964, LG married the love of his life, Merrie Ruth Himmelheber, in Hollywood, MD, and together they celebrated over 61 years of marriage.
While a teenager, LG began working at Bill Raley’s Sales Center in Lexington Park, MD, and over the years transitioned from manager to eventual owner of Raley’s Home Furnishings, which also had locations in Leonardtown, Waldorf, Charlotte Hall and Prince Frederick. After retiring from the furniture business, LG worked for over 20 years in property management with Wildewood Park Partnership.
From his early days with Triangle Rods & Custom Club and the Ridge Drag Team to his role as chairman of the Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge Regatta (1990s – 2010s), LG was often the man behind the scenes. Detail-oriented, from paint jobs to polished fasteners, he was the one in charge of getting the cars and boats ready for action. He also enjoyed fishing with his niece Stephanie and grandson Aubrey as well as the companionship of his Tanglewood Black Labrador Retrievers and most recently his Bassett Hound Joy.
He served as president of METCOM; commodore of Southern Maryland Sailing Association; director of St. Mary’s College of Maryland Boat Foundation; and he was a member of the Solomons Island Yacht Club.
LG is survived by his beloved wife Merrie Ruth Raley; son David Gray Raley of Charleston, SC; daughter Karen Clarke Raley of Leonardtown, MD; grandson Charles “Aubrey” Reese; sisters-in-law Barbara Raley, Carol Raley, Anne Shirley, Lillie Himmelheber (Bill Russell), and Eve Love (John Cook); brother-in-law Jerry Himmelheber (Linda); and many extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Judge C. Clarke Raley and John Wayne Raley and brother-in-law Pete Himmelheber.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. by Reverend Ryan Braam, at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions in LG’s name may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or Sailing Center Chesapeake, www.somdsailing.org.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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