Raphael Curria Evanoff

Raphael Curria Evanoff (Ray) of Detroit, Michigan passed away on Friday, July 15th, 2022, at the age of 70. He was born on February 10, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan where he grew up enjoying a loving family with his siblings and friends.  He enjoyed living in Detroit all his life and would not consider living anywhere else and believed in the growth of the city and surrounding areas. His was an avid runner from childhood throughout his life winning multiple races over the years with the Detroit Free Press Run being one of his favorites and his choice of places to run were Belle Isle and Palmer Park where he loved to go running and jogging on a regular basis.

Ray was educated in catholic schools graduating from East Catholic High School in Detroit.  After high school Ray entered the military and while in the military service graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1986.

Ray was a career veteran retiring after twenty years in 1994 from the U. S Army where he served proudly and performed his command as United States Army Military Police, Drill Sergeant, Master Sergeant and as Head Coach for their Military Women’s Track Team. After the military, he became involved with the State, County and City’s local government as an investigator working in the parole and juvenile justice systems and with various other assignments during his tenure until his retirement from the State of Michigan in December 2021.

He was always educating himself on various issues of the day and understood the value of education constantly learning new things and being actively involved in anything related to Music and Arts and Literature with Greek Art history being one of his favorites and of course keeping abreast of everything in the sport of Running while traveling across countries to see the wonders of the world “LITERALLY”.

He was preceded in death by his Father Gilbert G. Evanoff, Mother Amy B. Evanoff (Morgan), brothers Gilbert G. Evanoff Jr., Johnnie Gammage, and Emmanouel (Jerry) Evanoff and nephew Mark B.  Johnson.

He is survived by his daughter Shamika C. Evanoff, son Jason R. Evanoff, granddaughter Shadai Alexander, sisters Esther Thomas (Evanoff) and Charlsie Ann Johnson, brother Manasseh Evanoff, nephew Ramon Martinez and few other family members.

Ray was a marathon runner and cancer survivor. His last race was on Father’s Day weekend 2022 were he ran a 5k race for prostate cancer awareness and won 1st Place in his age group! He crossed the largest bridge in the US, he ran with the “BULLS” in Spain, and smuggled some blankets from Mexico (after he purchased them)! Ray traveled to his favorite places in Amsterdam, Paris, Panama, Germany, and Greece with Jamaica being his getaway spot where he frequently visited when it was time to chill. These are just a few places out of hundreds that he traveled too enjoying Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum for his favorite artist Van Gogh. Ray being from Detroit had the ear for the best music “Motown” could offer and loved the smooth rhythms of jazz with one of his favorites being Miles Davis.

The family would like to thank Diane Tillman for the care and compassion showed to our loved one in the past. Ms. Hillman took care of him during a time when he battled prostate cancer and thru recovery. We are grateful for your kindness and support given when he needed it the most.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ray’s remembrance to the MIU Foundation, 20195 Twelve Mile Road, St. Clair Shores 48081 a non-profit men’s health foundation advocating for men’s awareness and survivorship from prostate cancer.

His last moments were spent doing what he loved, going for his Morning Run!  Rest in Peace.