Ray Lewis Kisiah, Sr.

Ray Lewis Kisiah, Sr., 96, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

A native of Charlotte, NC, Ray was a son of the late Raymond Bartlett and Mertie Lue Hudson Kisiah. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Susie Moore, and brothers, Stokes and the Rev. Don Kisiah.

Growing up, Ray was always athletically inclined, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. Ray proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in China. When he returned home, in enrolled at Charlotte College, where he was President of their first graduating class. It was around this time that’s Ray’s involvement with the Charlotte Park and Recreation Department began. He was the summer playground leader at Cordelia Park and also assisted at the Hawthorne Rec Center.

In 1950, he enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill, and earned a degree in Sociology specifically in Parks and Recreation under Dr. Harold D. Meyer. UNC was one of two schools in the country to offer that major at the time.

He moved back to Charlotte following graduation. He met the love of his life Martha Alexander and they were married on September 6, 1952. During this time Ray served in many capacities with a handful of public swimming pools. He served in Drexel, NC, as their Community Center Director for two years before moving back to Charlotte once more to serve as their Asst. Superintendent & Director of Recreation.

Ray moved to High Point in 1962 where he served as Director of their Parks and Recreation Department. It was during this time that he became involved in amateur athletics through the Amateur Athletic Union and as the AAU representative to the United States Olympic Committee. He moved to Asheville in 1971 and served as their Director of Parks and Recreation until 1995.

Ray was recognized state-wide, nationally and internationally as a leader in Parks and Recreation. A recipient of the Harold D. Meyer Award, the highest award given to an outstanding recreation and park professional for the 10 southern state area; The Fellow Award, the highest honor of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association and the Distinguished Professional Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. He served as President of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association and the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration. He was named a Legend in Parks and Recreation by the American Academy. The City of Asheville named a new park in the Oakley community as the Ray Kisiah Park upon his retirement. The UNC-A Center for Creative Retirement recognized Ray as an Asheville Treasure.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Louise Alexander Kisiah; daughter, Penny Kisiah (Tom); sons, Ray “Butch” Kisiah, Jr. (Nancy), and John Kisiah.

The memorial service for Mr. Kisiah, with Marine Corps honors, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. His family will receive friends at the funeral home following that service.

Interment will take place the next day, Thursday, at 2:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain.

Because of Ray’s lifelong involvement in the Parks and Recreation profession the family is asking that any Memorial donations in Ray’s honor be given to the following: The North Carolina Recreation and Parks Scholarship Foundation

Please send your check to: NC Recreation and Parks Scholarship Foundation
883 Washington Street
Raleigh, NC 27605

For more information on the scholarship program visit: https://www.ncrpa.net